Erik ten Hag grateful for supersubs Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in United comeback

Erik ten Hag praised his substitutes after Marcus Rashford scored two and set up fellow introduction Anthony Martial as Manchester United escaped a scare at Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League.

Wounded by Sunday's 6-3 derby defeat at Manchester City, the Red Devils were stung in Cyprus after making a strong start as the hosts capitalised on lax defending to go ahead through Karim Ansarifard.

Omonia scored after Tyrell Malacia was dispossessed having collected a pass from ineffective Jadon Sancho following a clear free-kick, with Ten Hag replacing them with Luke Shaw and Rashford at half-time.

The latter would go on to score either side of a fine goal by second-half substitute Martial, putting the Group E encounter out of reach despite Omonia replacement Nikolas Panayiotou making it 3-2 late on.

"I think we started well, a couple of chances, and then unnecessarily down," United boss Ten Hag told BT Sport.

"The mistake cannot happen, we have to take responsibility there. But then a really bad 10 minutes and we have to learn from that."

Asked what he changed at half-time, the Dutchman said: "A couple of things, especially more runs.

"We were too static and we have to make the opposite movement to get behind. That’s why also we make two subs in that time and they had really an impact.

"I think Luke and Marcus definitely (helped with that) but also Anthony Martial, of course, with 2-1.

"I think the subs really had an impact today and that is really good. That makes the team stronger."

The victory provided an important three points in United’s quest to reach the Europa League knockout stages, having lost their Group E opener at home to Real Sociedad.

Thursday also gave Martial more valuable minutes after an injury-interrupted start to