Ten Hag Explains His Poor Substitutions as Man United Throw Away 2–0 Lead vs Tottenham

• Erik ten Hag has stood by his substitutions against Tottenham Hotspur
• Manchester United drew the game despite having a 2-0 first-half lead
• Ten Hag hooked off Aaron Wan Bissaka, who could have been integral

Erik ten Hag has come out to explain his poor substitutions against Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. Manchester United blew away a 2-0 lead as Spurs rallied back in the second half in front of their home fans.

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford put United on their way, with Spurs fans fearing another humiliation after their capitulation against Newcastle over the weekend.

However, January signing, Pedro Porro pulled one back after half-time, with Spurs missing a couple of decent opportunities to draw back level or even go ahead.

Ten Hag's substitutions

With United still leading, ten Hag surprised many by withdrawing Sancho and Cristian Eriksen just after the hour mark. The two were among the better performers on the night, with Fred and Anthony Martial taking their place.

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10 minutes later, the Dutch tactician followed up with another dubious change, withdrawing Aaron Wan Bissaka for Tyrell Malacia. Bissaka is one of the best 1 v 1 defenders in the world and many feel he needs to be on the pitch when you are protecting the lead.

His replacement, Malacia, was culpable of Spurs' second goal as he allowed Harry Kane with enormous space to lay it out for Heung-min Son on a platter.

However, ten Hag defended his ideas, despite watching his side drop points again due in part to his changes.

"If you have seen the game, you have seen also in the period after half-time we lose control in the game and I prepared the subs already before the 2-1 and you could see that goal coming."

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The Dutch manager explained Fred brought ball-winning energy and was impressive in the clash.

"On Sunday, he was brilliant. And with Martial, you bring one who can keep the ball and you can have Rashford, Antony, and Bruno make runs behind and that was the idea," he said, as quoted by MEN.

The draw leaves United in fourth on the Premier League table, six points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs who have played two games more.

United fans chant Kane's name

In the same game against Spurs, as Sports Brief reported, Man United fans appeared to make their feelings clear about the club signing Kane this summer Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Tottenham stalwart has widely been linked with a move this summer, with his situation at the North London club putting several teams on high alert.

Kane will enter the final year of his Tottenham deal at the end of this season and now finds himself at a crossroads on what his playing future holds for him.