Erik ten Hag insists Alejandro Garnacho ‘must accept’ substitution decision after Manchester United beat Crystal Palace.
Manchester United’s victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon was massive in the Reds’ quest to secure Champions League qualification this season. Fernandes scored a penalty in the seventh minute before Marcus Rashford doubled the hosts’ lead at Old Trafford in the second half.
Ten Hag’s side were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining after VAR spotted Casemiro grabbing Will Hughes by the throat during a scuffle involving both sets of players.
Jeffrey Schlupp pulled a goal back for Palace but United were able to hold out for the victory which has moved them up to third in the Premier League table.
However, on a personal note, it was a difficult day for youngster Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine started the game against the Eagles on the bench, before coming on to replace Wout Weghorst in the 59th minute. However, the 18-year-old, who has registered two goals and five assists this term, was later replaced by Harry Maguire in the 87th minute.
But, Ten Hag insists Garnacho must accept that the decision was ‘in the interests of the team’.
‘First we had to see how they changed, then you have to anticipate and see how we can close, how to be compact, how we close the gaps, how we get away from our goal but also still have a threat in attack,’ Ten Hag explained to MUTV after United’s win.
‘I think we had to change something. It’s not always nice bringing off a player who we brought on but it’s in the interests of the team and the player has to accept that.’
