Erik ten Hag explains Casemiro and Harry Maguire half-time substitutions in Luton win

Erik ten Hag has explained his decision to take off veterans Casemiro and Harry Maguire at half-time during Man Utd's eventual 2-1 win over Luton Town.

Ten Hag's side took an early lead at Kenilworth Road on Sunday thanks to their in-form striker Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international bagged a stunning brace inside the opening six minutes of the game, leading many to believe that the game was shaping up to be a bit of a cakewalk for Man Utd.

However, after Carlton Morris reduced arrears in the 15th minute, the Red Devils somewhat lost control of proceedings and allowed Luton back into the game. That loss of control was best exemplified by the struggles of Casemiro and Harry Maguire, with both veterans being seemingly unable to deal with the high-tempo set by the home side.

Both Casemiro and Maguire received bookings during the half, with the former walking a particularly thin tightrope after seeing what should've been a second bookable offence go without admonishment late in the half. The pair were then hooked at half time by Ten Hag and replaced by Scott McTominay and Jonny Evans - who performed their roles well in the second 45.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Ten Hag was asked about his decision to sub off the struggling duo at half-time, admitting that the decision was made due to their bookings:

"I think the game was going in the direction, there was a lot of pressure on the referee," said Ten Hag.

"They both were a risk for another booking and we have a good replacement with Scott McTominay and Jonny Evans. So that's why we took them off, we didn't want to go in that risk."

Ten Hag also gave an in-depth analysis of the game itself, admitting that his team made life difficult for themselves by not killing off the game when they had the chance:

"It could have been an easy game after, say, 10 minutes. In the end it was a difficult game because we didn't take our chances and we allowed them back into it," admitted Ten Hag.

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"It was a very good start but after, Garnacho and Rashy, we had big chances to make it 3-0 and 4-0. We dropped too deep and allowed them to get back into the game and we didn't close the half-spaces where they passed the ball in and then our centre-halves have to come out.

"We allowed them shots and crosses. It got difficult. Second half as well, we didn't take our chances and there were so many big chances. We should've scored. With Bruno, with Garnacho, with Rashford. They were not opportunities, they were 100 per cent chances.

"One has to go in. Then you make your life easy. We kept them in the game. [After going 2-0 up] We lost a bit of focus. Maybe because it was so easy in the first 10 minutes and you score twice. With some players, they go a little bit less.

"You can't afford this, definitely not against a side like Luton Town. I analysed them, when they lost, they only lost twice by two goals difference. You have to be ready, you have to be 100 per cent focused. That was something we lost after 10 minutes."

Despite failing to convert all of their chances, Man Utd managed to hang on to a vital win. The victory is the club's fourth in a row in the Premier League, and leaves them just three points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth place.

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