Erik ten Hag explains bizarre Manchester United triple substitution

Erik ten Hag insists he had to take a risk with his late substitutions that backfired in Manchester United's 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Ten Hag introduced Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial for Antony and Wout Weghorst with the game goalless in the 62nd minute and Newcastle went 1-0 up through Joe Willock three minutes later.

Five minutes after the triple substitution of Victor Lindelof, Fred and Facundo Pellistri for Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Scott McTominay, Callum Wilson ended the contest to score Newcastle's second goal.

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The decision to hook centre halves Varane and Martinez was particularly costly as Wilson rose to nod in from a Kieran Trippier free-kick when he got in between Lindelof and Marcus Rashford.

"It was in the end of the game," Ten Hag said. "One-nil down and you risk everything. Before we subbed bringing Jason Sancho and Anthony Martial, for more control in possession, to keep the ball, they get forward.

"So after we are losing the game and you try to save the game, to go one-against-one in the back, bring off your two centre halves, bring a fresh one in, who can defend with space on his back and bring an extra player in offence with Pellistri.

"I think we created good chances. Anthony Martial [had] our best chance, a deflected shot. But it is always difficult when you run out of time, then you have to risk certain things from the back, you bring extra offence players in, you hope to turn the game, you have to try it."

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