Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains snubbing Amad Diallo as decision causes fury in Fenerbahce draw
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Man Utd draw with Fenerbahce
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has opened up on his decision to snub Amad Diallo in his side's 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce on Thursday night.
The Red Devils were forced to settle for a point in Turkey, with Christian Eriksen's early goal cancelled out by Youssef En-Nesyri.
Before the game, Ten Hag raised eyebrows by choosing to play Noussair Mazraoui in the No 10 role - with Amad overlooked.
The Ivory Coast international was then snubbed again later in the match, with United throwing on Antony.
Amad Diallo: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has opened up on his decision to snub the winger following his side's draw with Fenerbahce
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Amad did eventually enter the fray in the 89th minute following an injury to Antony, who has struggled to live up to expectations during his two years at Old Trafford so far.
But many United fans are unhappy with the youngster being overlooked, especially given his impressive start to the campaign.
Ten Hag was asked about his decision to snub Amad after the game.
And the United boss insisted it was because Antony has been performing so well in training, saying: "Amad, he is doing well.
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"But I must also reward the performances of Antony in training, he is a threat almost every training, so I felt in that moment to bring him, to decide the game.”
Amad was visibly angry as he came on.
The United star stared moodily as coaches Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy tried to motivate him.
The fallen giants have struggled in Europe so far this season. Though they remain unbeaten, they've drawn all three of their matches.
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And Ten Hag was frustrated by his side's failure to secure victory, with the 54-year-old adding: "It was a good game, two good teams, both went for the win.
"We want to win and when you are 1-0 up in a tough away game, after a first half where you have control and we had some good chances to make a second [goal], then you concede a goal like we did, that feels bad.
"The first ball was played in our block, that cannot happen.
"Then one cross has come in and then a goal, that shouldn’t happen.”
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Amad Diallo: Man Utd winger was introduced in the 89th minute during Thursday night's Europa League draw with Fenerbahce
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He continued: “We missed some big opportunities, like the one where it was brilliant outplay on the right side and then the final pass from Diogo [Dalot] for Rashy [Marcus Rashford] wasn’t quite there.
"That should be a goal. It was fabulous outplay over the right side, good behind the defending line and then the pull-back - just the final pass wasn’t there in that moment and that’s a pity because, in that moment, if you go 2-1 up, you win the game.
“We should have won this game but, in the end, we know that it’s a tough atmosphere here, so we take a point.
"So from two tough away games [also against FC Porto], we take two points and now we have two games at Old Trafford [in the Europa League].
Amad Diallo: Man Utd star replaced Antony in the closing stages of their draw with Fenerbahce
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"We have to win if we want to progress in Europe.”
United are next in action against West Ham on Sunday (2pm).
The Red Devils lost 2-0 in the same fixture last term, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus both on target.
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