Erik ten Hag explains controversial decision in Burnley draw

The duo were replaced in the 65th minute of the contest at Old Trafford, with Scott McTominay and Amad Diallo entering the field, and the double substitution led to boos from sections of the home side's supporters.

Man United went on to take the lead in the 79th minute of the game through Antony, but the Clarets levelled in the latter stages of the match courtesy of a penalty from Zeki Amdouni.

Ten Hag has explained his call to replace Mainoo and Hojlund, with the Dutchman determined to protect the fitness of the key duo.

«What the crowd doesn't understand is it's a 19-year-old boy [Mainoo] in his first Premier League season,» Ten Hag told reporters after the match. «It was a third game in a week and we have to manage the game load.

»We don't want him to be injured. Last year, he had two bad injuries. You can see he gets tired. I want to protect him.

«Of course, by bringing Scott on, the game was really open, really intense with one-on-ones all over the pitch. Kobbie got tired and Scott had fresh legs and is very good, making movements and attacks down the middle.

»I have to manage the team and I have to, of course, be winning games. That's first of all and see what the game needs. By that time, we needed some freshness, first of all. But also tactical wise, brining a player up who can keep the ball and who is creative in Amad.

«So they were subbed and it was the right decision. You see, after, we took some benefit from it, by bringing in the fresh legs and Scott in the position