Boss refuses to take credit for super subs
Erik ten Hag has refused to take the credit for his substitutions this season, even though they are continuing to have the desired impact.
At least one of our replacements have found the net in each our last four games, starting with Anthony Martial's brace in the Manchester derby defeat. In the Europa League tie at Omonia Nicosia, Marcus Rashford (2) and Martial shared the goals in a 3-2 triumph, before Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench in the first half of the Everton clash to fire the winner past Jordan Pickford.
On Thursday night, Scott McTominay was the man who supplied the only goal of the game against dogged Omonia, with fellow subs Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho involved in the build-up.
Highlights: United v Omonia Nicosia
Short match highlights | Watch two minutes of action from our Europa League group-stage game at Old Trafford...
"We are happy with that and that tells you something about the spirit in the team and the squad," explained Ten Hag in his post-match press conference. "That they understand it is not about 11 players, it's about the squad.
"You have to do it and sometimes it works like that. Of course, when you believe in it, and an opponent is getting tired, then subs can have an impact, when they have the right attitude, when they have the right focus to be direct. In offence, but I also like defence. For example, Rapha Varane, he came in and he had a massive defence action [at Everton, when he made a saving header]."
How vital was Varane?
Erik's injury-time substitute quickly makes two blocks and then a saving touch to divert a corner away from Pickford...
"We create an energy and they bring a tempo over the left wide area and that is good to see. And it can be that your sub will score. But when I say also, players have other tasks like Rapha Varane or Scott McTominay, like to save the win."