After the 2-1 loss to Forest, Ten Hag revealed why he replaced Mainoo with McTominay

Following Manchester United’s recent 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, manager Erik ten Hag shed light on the decision to replace young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo with Scott McTominay at halftime, offering tactical insights during his post-match press conference.

In response to questions about the halftime substitution, Ten Hag clarified that the move was influenced by Mainoo’s demanding schedule.

He explained, “He played the third game in a row this week; that’s tough where he’s coming from. I thought the energy was a little bit lower than in the other two games this week; therefore, we brought some new energy in.“

Mainoo had previously played the entirety of the defeat at West Ham and contested 81 minutes in the comeback victory over Aston Villa earlier in the week.

Starting three games in the space of a week marked a notable milestone in the 18-year-old midfielder’s senior career.

Ten Hag expressed satisfaction with the vitality that Scott McTominay brought to the team following his introduction.

Despite the second half not unfolding as intended, Ten Hag stood by the decision, stating, “I don’t regret [the substitution]. I thought Scott brought energy; I think the second half was much better [from] our side.“

When analyzing the goals conceded, Ten Hag emphasized that the first goal had nothing to do with the central midfielder, as it went down the sides.

He attributed the second goal to a miscommunication, despite having enough players in place for the counter-attack.

“The first goal, when you analyze it well, has nothing to do with the midfield… the second goal came from poor communication,” Ten Hag remarked.

Ten Hag’s tactical decision to introduce fresh energy in the form of McTominay reflects a strategic approach to managing player fatigue and enhancing team performance.

Despite the outcome, the manager stands by the choice and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the game.