Sub gets subbed: Kean was introduced on 70 minutes but was hooked on 89 minutes
Monday 16 December 2019 23:45, UK
Duncan Ferguson defended his decision to substitute Everton striker Moise Kean despite the striker only coming on 19 minutes earlier.
Everton's improvement under Ferguson continued in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Ferguson, who is only in interim charge, showed a ruthless side to his management style, replacing Kean on 89 minutes for Oumar Niasse at Old Trafford.
There was a frosty moment on the touchline as Ferguson didn't speak to Kean after he came off with the Italian striker heading straight down the tunnel with no apparent injury.
"It wasn't because of Moise Kean's performance, it was just because I needed to make a substitution to kill a bit of time," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"I've got so many strikers on the bench, I just decided to make that change.
"It was nothing against Moise Kean really."
Following on from their 3-1 win over Chelsea, Everton played with great tenacity and character at Old Trafford, taking the lead courtesy of a Victor Lindelof own goal, but Mason Greenwood skilfully drilled one home from the edge of the box to level it and deny Ferguson back-to-back wins.
Despite the late equaliser, Ferguson was left beaming at full time.
"It was tremendous," he said.
"What a fantastic performance the boys put in, what a shift, unbelievable, we just couldn't hang on there.
"We tried to change the shape a little bit but just couldn't get the information on but they were fantastic to a man.
"At the moment I'm delighted because we've got a point, of course we were winning but I can't complain.
"United came on strong in the second half but we looked good on the counter-attack as well and had one or two chances when Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] broke forward if we could have just found that final pass but I thought the boys were absolutely immense."
Ferguson's opposite number Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, was unhappy that Everton's goal was allowed to stand after David De Gea collided with Calvert-Lewin before Lindelof turned the ball into his own net.
"I think it's a foul but there's no point in me complaining about it here and now," he said.
"His [Calvert-Lewin's] arms and elbows are over David's shoulders and I think he hit his arm just as he was about to punch it.
"We're disappointed in that one but there's nothing we can do about that."
Solskjaer was more positive when questioned about Mason Greenwood's impact after the 18-year-old came off the bench to salvage a point for his side.
"The kid's different class in and around the box and you're not surprised when he scores goals," Solskjaer added.
"On the 4,000th game that an academy player comes on and gets us a point that's fitting.
"He makes it hard for me to leave him out."
Analysis from Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"David de Gea should deal with it. He should punch it and not get messed around by Calvert-Lewin. When we saw it again I was surprised that the arm of Calvert-Lewin did seem to go across De Gea. I thought VAR would overturn it. We were confused in the studio; if it had been overturned I don't think there could have been complaints but there was still that lingering feeling he should have done better.
"But it was his reaction, too, for an experienced player - in my day if you felt you were fouled at Old Trafford, you went and made a big thing of it. De Gea didn't react, almost like his disappointment at giving the goal away clouded his judgement in terms of appealing for a free-kick. His personality is such that he doesn't seem to complain a lot. I'm not saying it's right but it's what's expected."
