Erik ten Hag took the unusual decision to address the Manchester United players on the pitch before the second-half started in their limp defeat at Aston Villa.
United players reemerged before Villa’s with the home side 2-1 up and Ten Hag admitted he had forgotten to inform them of an additional detail during his half-time team talk.
The Dutchman strode onto the pitch and briefly conversed with players including Cristiano Ronaldo in the centre circle. Within four minutes of the restart, Villa reopened their two-goal advantage that they defended in a 3-1 win.
“No, it was just one detail I forgot to say at half-time and I could make that point,” Ten Hag said. “I thought the second part of the first-half we played well and we created two good chances with Garnacho and Ronaldo.
“And we scored the goal and were back in the game and hopeful at half-time we could turn it around. Everyone had that feeling and with that attitude, we went out.
“But then you give the game away in the second-half as in the start of the first-half.”
Ten Hag disputed the suggestion he was not as proactive with his substitutions as he was against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night.
With United 1-0 up in the 58th minute in San Sebastian, Ten Hag sent on Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay for Donny van de Beek and Victor Lindelof yet, with Villa 3-1 up, United did not make a substitution until the 65th minute when Anthony Martial, Anthony Elanga and Tyrell Malacia emerged for Van de Beek, Garnacho and Luke Shaw.
“We also make three subs in 60 or 65, so not that much later,” Ten Hag claimed.