Erik ten Hag insists Scott McTominay was an attack-minded substitution despite Manchester United's struggles in the second-half of their win over Fulham.
With United under the cosh and 1-0 up, Ten Hag introduced McTominay for right winger Anthony Elanga in the 55th minute but fellow substitute Daniel James equalised for Fulham six minutes later.
McTominay initially occupied the No.10 role and Bruno Fernandes moved to the right-hand side but Ten Hag eventually moved McTominay to a deeper role and pushed Christian Eriksen higher up.
Also read: What Ten Hag told Garnacho at full-time
Within the last month, Ten Hag introduced Fred and McTominay early in the second-half of the away games at Chelsea and Real Sociedad. with United 1-0 up in the latter fixture.
Alejandro Garnacho, United's only other change at Craven Cottage, emerged to great effect in the comeback win over Aston Villa in the League Cup third round on Thursday night and he scored a 93rd-minute winner with what was his first Premier League goal.
"First of all, we started Elanga because we thought we need speed in the frontline," Ten Hag said, "because we thought that was a weakness for Fulham, that's why we played Elanga.
"I think he's doing well, he did well in the game, but there are also some facts we have to work on with him, especially in his anticipation and his productivity. I think he's made huge progress in that but if he has to be a top player then he has to come even more.
"I'm happy with his performance also I know there was a full-back who is really into attack, he controlled that, he neutralized it, the attacking full-back, so he did well.
"But I saw the game a little bit changing, I want to bring a little more power in midfield and I have seen on Thursday with Scott he has ball-winning type, he has power type and he can also make runs in front and I think he had one good chance when he entered the box, that was my first idea.
"The second was bringing Garnacho, the right-back was on a booking, last week he had an impact with his pace, with his dribbles, I think the outcome was good."
United go into the World Cup fifth and three points behind Tottenham with a game in hand. Burnley await in the League Cup fourth round at Old Trafford and they face Barcelona in their Europa League knockout play-off in February.
Overall, United have won 14 of Ten Hag's 21 games in charge and lost five. The Dutchman is satisfied with the progress he has overseen in the first third of the season.
"I think that we have made massive progress on many elements of football," he noted, "but if we want to be good, then now good is not good enough and there are so many other elements we have to improve if we want to be successful and if we want to go for trophies.
"That is the ambition we have, so we have to invest so much more."
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