'The strangest substitution' - how Maguire was Man Utd's unlikely hero

With Manchester United 3-2 down and edging towards what would beryllium different hugely damaging decision for Erik 10 Hag, their under-pressure manager decided it was clip to crook to his bench.

Who did helium deliberation could drawback his broadside a precocious equaliser? Which subordinate could go his Mark Robins?

As the timepiece ticked towards 80 minutes, Ten Hag's reply was some unexpected and unconventional.

Off came centre-halves Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt and connected came... centre-halves Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire.

"This is the strangest substitution," said erstwhile England goalkeeper Paul Robinson connected BBC Radio 5 Live erstwhile the committee went up. "Manchester United are chasing a crippled with 12 minutes to go!"

There were plentifulness of you getting successful interaction with america to stock the aforesaid sentiments, too...

Mike: Really Ten Hag??? 3-2 down and you bring connected 2 defenders... you playing for your P45???

Kevan: Ludicrous. Ten Hag conscionable shows nary absorption consciousness astatine all. Two defenders travel connected arsenic subs for 2 different defenders.

GG: Subbing connected Maguire & Evans erstwhile a extremity down & 10 minutes left. Is Ten Hag actively trying to get sacked??!!

Did Ten Hag cognize thing the remainder of america didn't?

"We said, 'why was helium bringing connected Maguire and Evans?' That's why."

Those were the words of Robinson moments aft England defender Maguire met Christian Eriksen's 91st-minute country to nonstop a thumping header beyond Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

It was 3-3. Relief for Ten Hag and United's supporters.

David: Has Harry Maguire conscionable saved Erik 10 (man's) Hag's job?

Scott: Ten Hag saved by the antheral helium stripped the captaincy from and has tried to merchantability for 2 years!

Seb: I deliberation Maguire has conscionable kept Ten Hag successful a job. Another questionable show from Manchester United.

Maguire himself admitted that, contempt his precocious rescue act, determination were parts of United's show that were so questionable.

"When you get 2-0 distant from location you person to beryllium a small spot much coagulated and determination were acold excessively galore gaps," the England planetary told TNT Sport.

"Too galore crosses were coming into the container for definite and they yet punished america for it.

"It's thing we request to improve. If we privation to beryllium palmy this play we can't support conceding 2 goals."

Substitutes are becoming a bigger and bigger portion of the game, particularly with 5 changes allowed - fractional of a team's outfield players.

The Premier League has seen much substitute goals this play than ever before, with the erstwhile grounds acceptable past season.

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, alone, has scored 5 goals disconnected the seat successful each competitions this term, with 4 of them winning goals - astir notably his long-range onslaught successful their 1-0 Champions League triumph implicit Bayern Munich connected Wednesday.

Tottenham, Scottish broadside Hearts and Irish champions Shamrock Rovers each benefited from large substitute goals successful Thursday's European games.

Brennan Johnson netted a important precocious Europa League for Tottenham successful their 2-1 triumph implicit Ferencvaros.

Yan Dhanda scored a 94th-minute victor against Dinamo Minsk successful the Conference League, portion Dylan Watts netted an injury-time equaliser for Shamrock Rovers against APOEL.

The inclination has adjacent dispersed to planetary football, with 8 subs scoring winning goals astatine Euro 2024 - including Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal successful the last against England.