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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explains why Alejandro Garnacho did not come on vs West Ham

Erik ten Hag indicated Alejandro Garnacho will play a part in Manchester United's home game against Wolves after he was unused at West Ham.

Garnacho returned to the United squad for the first time in seven weeks and, despite his game-changing prowess off the bench, Ten Hag turned to five other substitutes in an attempt to salvage the game.

Anthony Martial was introduced for Wout Weghorst before the hour before Jadon Sancho and Marcel Sabitzer emerged simultaneously. Fred and Diogo Dalot were United's last batch of changes.

Read more: Erik ten Hag backs David de Gea despite latest United error

Garnacho was added to the squad at the expense of fellow winger Facundo Pellistri and Ten Hag confirmed the 18-year-old was fit enough to come on.

"He was on the bench, then, of course, he is capable of playing," Ten Hag said. "But we also had other options with Martial, with Jadon Sancho, with Sabitzer, offensive and fit - very fit - players are there and present, then you have to play them.

"But in one week, you have to see, it's one week extra and he is brave, he can make a difference, yeah.

"You have seen we tried to change them but that's always difficult when you are losing. You saw the team wanted, they put a lot of effort in and on occasions, they go in the wrong positions, they are forcing too much, too quickly, then it's counterproductive.

"So we have to learn from such situations, stay calm, stay composed, then you create chances. We had some chances, the best I think was Martial but we have to create more."

United have played 57 games this season and are certain to have five more matches, with home games against Wolves, Chelsea and Fulham as well as a trek to Bournemouth before the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.

Ten Hag acknowledged there are signs of fatigue in the squad but refused to use it as an excuse for United's faltering form. "Yeah, but can't be because they are the facts.

"Now you can't feel sorry for yourself. As a team stick together, as an individual take responsibility, make sure you have the energy, you have the focus, then play as a team and you get a result because we have proof of that all season.

"Tiredness is in your head. If you want, if you have the willingness, you can take it. It's now up to the players, me and the coaching staff, to be together, get the willingness in and the belief that we can take it and this team has it."

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