Everton's interim boss Duncan Ferguson insists his decision to take off substitute Moise Kean during Sunday's Premier League draw against Manchester United was purely a time-wasting measure.
Italian forward Kean was sent on as a 70th-minute replacement for Bernard at Old Trafford, but lasted just 18 minutes before being replaced himself by Oumar Niasse.
Ferguson did not appear to acknowledge Kean as he walked off the pitch and the 19-year-old proceeded to walk along the touchline and straight down the tunnel.
Asked about the incident after the game, Everton's interim manager explained that he was simply looking to waste time with the change.
"I needed to make a substitution to kill a bit of time," he told Sky Sports.
"It was nothing personal against Moise Kean."
Kean arrived at Everton from Serie A champions Juventus for an initial £25.1million fee in August, but has struggled for regular game-time at Goodison Park, making just two starts in the top-flight.
The player was recently linked with a January loan switch to Bologna.
