Duncan Ferguson has claimed that Moise Kean’s substitution was “to kill a bit of time” and not due to the Everton striker’s performance.
Kean was introduced as a substitute at Old Trafford in the 70th minute, only to be replaced by Oumar Niasse another 18 minutes later.
The 19-year-old refused to acknowledge Ferguson as he walked off the pitch and did not return to the bench, instead heading straight to the dressing room.
“It wasn’t because of his performance,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “I just needed to make a substitution to kill a bit of time.
“I’ve got so many strikers on the bench. I just decided to make that change. It wasn’t personal against Moise Kean.”
When asked about Kean’s reaction to the substitution in his post-match press conference, Ferguson said: “I think it’s understandable if you’re a sub and getting subbed off.
“That’s what I was just looking for, fresh legs really. Unfortunately he was the only I decided to bring off. I can see why he’s upset.
“But it’s for the good of the team. I can see why he’s upset, I’ll speak to him next time I see him, tomorrow probably, I’ll mention it.
“He struggled to get up to the speed of the game. I asked him to go centre-forward, then put Dom to the right-hand side, then asked him to change to the right-hand side, which is unfair on him.
“That’s the time I said I’m going to put on a guy who can handle it a bit better. It was no slight on Moise, I just wanted to kill a bit of time. I’ve been there as a player myself, I’ve been subbed [on] and subbed off myself. He’ll be fine. He’ll come again, he’s only 19.”
Kean is yet to score for Everton since arriving from Juventus in a £24.5m deal this summer.
