Erik ten Hag makes controversial Man Utd decision he was warned could get him sacked

The Manchester United boss was jeered by home fans when he decided to replace Rasmus Hojlund with Anthony Martial during his side’s disappointing defeat to Brighton

Erik ten Hag was booed by Manchester United fans for replacing forward Rasmus Hojllund with Anthony Martial in his side’s game at home to Brighton – a decision he was recently told would get him sacked.

Danish forward Hojlund had worked hard on his home debut for his new side, and saw a goal disallowed just before half-time. But his display was one of few bright sparks on a dismal day for the hosts, and when they were 2-0 down loud boos could be heard at Old Trafford when Ten Hag opted to introduce Martial for his £72m summer signing from Atalanta.

Former United defender Paul Parker had warned the manager that fans would want Hojlund to start the game against the Seagulls, adding that he didn’t see a place in the side for Martial.

Parker told SpilXperten : “If he [Hojlund] doesn’t start against Brighton, then all fans will want Erik ten Hag fired, and it would almost be justified. It wouldn’t make any sense if he started on the bench.

“Martial shouldn’t even be on the bench. There must be a youth player who is better who can sit on the bench, and Hojlund can be the first striker. All Manchester United fans are fed up with seeing a player with a lousy attitude, who always sulks and complains, and it’s a blessing that Man Utd finally has an attacker who plays with enthusiasm.”

Parker’s former United team-mate Peter Schmeichel has also been praising Hojlund, saying that he feels his fellow Dane has everything you need to succeed at the club

“He’s a very, very nice boy,” he told the United Review. “I’ve been asked about him a lot, and the phrase I always use is that he has a lot of unfulfilled potential.

“There isn’t a weakness in his game. There isn’t a part of his game where he can’t be absolutely excellent. A lot of that has to come from how he handles himself, and I’m absolutely sure he’ll do that well, but it’s also about how he’s being coached.

“This guy is everything: he’s big, strong, quick, physical, technical, tactically adept. Everything you want in a footballer, everything you want in a striker. He’s got the nose, as well, of a no.9.”

United had flown out of the blocks in a bright start but fell behind in the 20th minute to Brighton.

Danny Welbeck played the ball wide to Simon Adingra and ran into the box, with Adingra’s low cross stepped over by Adam Lallana before the United academy graduate struck.