Why Manchester United player Hannibal came off at half-time vs Galatasaray

Erik ten Hag has explained why he decided to replace Hannibal Mejbri at half-time of Manchester United's defeat by Galatasaray. The 20-year-old returned to the United starting line-up for their crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday night and caught the eye with a lively midfield display.

Hannibal covered a lot of ground during his first-half display, and it was a surprise to see him replaced at the break with the scores still level.

Paul Scholes assumed the Tunisian youngster must have been injured to be replaced so early in the match, but it turns out that wasn't actually the case.

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Speaking after the match, Ten Hag was quizzed on the substitution and asked if injury had any part to play in his decision to bring Christian Eriksen on.

“No," he said when asked about an injury. "I felt he [Hannibal] played well but I wanted some passing capabilities in the midfield area, that’s why we brought Christian Eriksen in."

The Denmark international certainly made his mark in an attacking sense, completing 30 passes during his time on the pitch, which was double the amount Hannibal had completed.

Eriksen also created three scoring chances for his side, the clearest of which saw him release Marcus Rashford through on goal, only for the forward to spurn a gilt-edged opportunity.