Erik ten Hag blames referee for controversial substitutions in Sevilla draw

Erik ten Hag said he had no choice but to substitute both Bruno Fernandes and Antony in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Sevilla, arguing the referee had warned him both players were close to red cards.

United were in complete control of the game early on and flew into a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Marcel Sabitzer inside the first 20 minutes. But they would end up drawing 2-2 as late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire set up a nervy second leg away from home next week.

Fernandes and Antony were both substituted in the second half, with starting striker Anthony Martial also leaving on the hour mark, and the three changes were loudly questioned by supporters during the game.

In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag argued he was left with no choice but to withdraw Fernandes and Antony after the referee warned him that the duo were close to being shown second yellow cards.

"I had to make them," Ten Hag argued. "There was no other way. Rapha [Varane] was injured, that was the first I had to make. And then Anthony Martial, first start after a long period, so we had to make him on the 60.

"Then Bruno: I got the warning from the refs, he was short before a second booking and the same for Antony dos Santos. So I had to make the subs, I had no other choice."

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With also Varane limping off at half-time, United did not have any substitutes remaining when Lisandro Martinez collapsed to the turf late on, with the Argentine's international teammates from Sevilla carrying the centre-back off the pitch.

All the unwanted changes took their toll on United, with Ten Hag telling BT Sport: "We had the game in our hand. We were 2-0 up and should've scored three or four - the game was totally on us. Unlucky moments with injuries, we had to make some subs with injuries then we lost the control.

"We conceded two own goals, that's bad luck but we have to deal with it. We have to learn and have to kill the game but everything is open.

"When we didn't get the third and got some injuries we lost the rhythm in the game. We played well in the first half with a lot of belief, scored two great goals for Sabitzer and we could've scored even more, then after half time we lost control of the game.

"I know we can do better with these players in the last part of the game and we needed to be more composed, it was not a nice night."

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