Manchester United coach Eric Ten Hag justified the replacement of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half of the Newcastle United match, which ended in a goalless draw today, Sunday, in the 11th round of the Premier League, by saying that he wants to preserve the vitality of the attackers in the crowded match schedule.
“We play 4 matches in 10 days, and I want to keep in particular the vitality of the attackers,” Ten Hag said after the match at Old Trafford.
“That is why we have to do the rotation. We have some problems, and (Anthony) Martial is not available at the moment.”
The Portuguese star started the Newcastle match as a starter, before being substituted in the 72nd minute in favor of young striker Marcus Rashford, at a time when Ronaldo appeared distressed during the exit.
“Rashi (Marcus Rashford) cannot play a full match, so we have to plan well to cover the next four matches, because we want to win them, or at least achieve positive results in them,” the Dutch coach added.
At the end of his statements, Ten Hag expressed his “disappointment” with the draw, but at the same time expressed his happiness with the performance, before two heavy-caliber matches against Tottenham Hotspur and then Chelsea.
