Erik ten Hag gives Manuel Ugarte verdict and explains Antony coming on over Amad for Man United

Erik ten Hag felt Manuel Ugarte produced his best performance for Manchester United in their Europa League draw with Fenerbahce.

Ugarte dispossessed Fred to instigate the counter-attack that Christian Eriksen scored from and eight minutes later produced a goal-saving block from Dusan Tadic.

Ten Hag believes Ugarte is starting to "step up" after his £50million transfer deadline day arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.

"Yes, I think so. He has to come into the team and it costs time, that six role is very important for every team, such a key position and he has to learn how we play and you only learn by playing," Ten Hag said.

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"You see he takes the lessons well, he's stepping up and I was happy with his performance today."

United are yet to win in their three Europa League games this season and have won one of their last 11 in Europe. They have led in all three of their draws with Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce and are currently 21st in the 36-team Europa League league phase.

Ten Hag remained positive about United's unbeaten start in Europe with five games remaining. "From two tough away games, Porto and Fenerbahce, we take two points, which is a result.

"But, of course, when you are taking the lead, especially the way you concede the goal, starting with the free kick played straight in our block, which shouldn't happen. It's a simple one cross and a goal.

"And before that, we had chances to make a second goal, 2-0 up or afterwards 2-1, but we didn't take our chances. [Marcus Rashford] had a good chance, was good play. Second half also for Rashy when the final pass didn't come on the right foot for him.

"So it's a pity and you are disappointed you don't win but we have to take the point. At Old Trafford, we have to win games."

Full back Noussair Mazraoui's stint as a No.10 lasted 55 minutes before he was moved to left back when Ten Hag made his first batch of substitutions. He opted to replace Rashford with Antony on 73 minutes but the Brazilian was carried off on a stretcher 16 minutes later and replaced by Amad.

Amad's playing time has decreased in recent weeks and Ten Hag clarified Antony's entrance was a reward for his training form. "For Amad, he is doing well but we have to reward the performances of Antony in training. He is a threat almost every training so I felt in that moment to bring him, to decide the game.

"But Amad you saw he had one or two actions, very pleased with all the effort and most of the players the quality.

"I think away from home in Europe in a hectic ambience, to start with four attackers is too much. So I know Nous is very capable to play in that position.

"I make a full back of him when before (at Ajax) he was always a No.10 especially from the left, I knew he had abilities to fill in that role. I think he was doing well, he was supporting the midfield, defending, supporting Josh Zirkzee pressing and he had a big role for the goal for Christian Eriksen. Then you can always move him back and he played brilliant."