FIFA has recently delivered highly regrettable news to the officials and referees involved in the match between Manchester United and Burnley, resulting in their dismissal from their positions.

Ten Hag’s decision to substitute Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund with Scott McTominay and Amad midway through the second half, while the game remained goalless, sparked considerable frustration among Old Trafford supporters.

Earlier in the season, Hojlund’s choice to sit out games against Brighton and Manchester City was met with disapproval from fans. When Antony scored 11 minutes before the end of the game, it seemed that United would emerge unscathed.

However, a late penalty, resulting from a mistake by Andre Onana, which Zeki Amdouni converted, led to the home fans booing when the final whistle blew.

Ten Hag defended his double substitution by highlighting the need to protect his young players from accumulated fatigue. He also urged patience while he built his team at United.

“As much as they are fans, I have to prioritize managing the team,” Ten Hag explained. “We assess what the game demands; at that point, we needed freshness and technical ability, hence the decision to bring in someone who can retain possession and offer creativity. It’s my duty to manage the team.”

“The midfield was experiencing a high-intensity game with a lot of back and forth, and Rasmus and Kobbie, being young players, were showing signs of fatigue; it was a calculated decision,” he added.

“In such an open game, introducing Scott’s fresh legs proved beneficial as he’s effective in such scenarios and can make penetrating runs from that position. There was value in this approach.”

This week presents us with a challenging schedule of three games. Given that Burnley had some rest days, it’s reasonable to expect our players, especially those in their debut Premier League season, to deliver their best performance in such intense matches.

Throughout this season, Rasmus Hojlund has dealt with several injuries, while Kobbie has suffered two significant ones. Consequently, I’m keen on preventing any further injuries and ensuring their well-being.

There’s a lot of curiosity surrounding these players and how they contribute to the team, and I’m mindful of that. While it’s not a concern for me, I must fulfill my responsibilities, and that’s the appropriate response.

Ten Hag appealed to the owners and fans for patience as he constructs the squad, highlighting the youth and inexperience of players like Hojlund, Mainoo, and Alejandro Garnacho.

He emphasized the rebuilding process due to the team’s youthful composition. “This may take some time,” he noted.

“We’re incorporating young talents like Garnacho, Hojlund, and Mainoo, all experiencing their debut Premier League season, which is growing increasingly competitive each year. The intensity compared to the previous season is palpable.”

“It’s a transitional period for these players to adapt to their new environment. While I’m enthusiastic about their potential, it’s important to remember that both us and the fans need patience. Building a team requires time and experience.”

It’s crucial to maintain focus right until the end, even when fatigue sets in. Throughout this season, matches have been extended by seven, eight, nine, or even 10 minutes of additional time to sustain momentum.

Players must learn to push through this barrier, and the only way to gain this experience is through actual gameplay.

Ten Hag also addressed critics who compare his current United squad to some of the best teams from previous eras, particularly those in the early to middle 2000s that were undergoing rebuilding phases under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson or similar managers.

“This is a complete contradiction. In the years 2004 and 2005, the great Manchester United teams were also in a rebuilding phase. While they may not have played spectacular football, they were in the process of building, and progress takes time,” he explained.

It’s often forgotten that players on those teams faced challenges and needed time to develop and progress.