Manchester United head coach Erik Ten Hag has heaped praises on an inspired substitute performance from Marcus Rashford after he earned Manchester United a nervy Europa League win over Omonia Nicosia.

Ten Hag introduced the England striker at the interval with the Cypriot side taking a shock lead in the first half.

Rashford netted twice, either side of also setting up fellow sub–Antony Martial.

"I think the subs really had an impact today and that is really good. That makes the team stronger," said Ten Hag.

The Cypriot side took a shock lead into half time through Karim Ansarifard, however Rashford equalised eight minutes after the break before setting up Martial just past the hour mark to give the visitors the lead.

Rashford made it 3-1 late on, before Nikolas Panayiotou pulled one back for the hosts.

Following United's embarrassing derby defeat at the weekend, Ten Hag made three changes with the headline being the return of Cristiano Ronaldo in place of Rashford up front.

However, it was ultimately the English forward who saved his side from a potentially humiliating defeat, while Ronaldo spurned several chances to score his 700th club career goal.

Ten Hag told BT Sport: "We were too static and we have to make the opposite movement to get behind. That's why also we make two subs in that time and they had really an impact.

"I think Luke [Shaw] and Marcus definitely helped with that but also Anthony Martial, of course, with 2-1."

Manchester United eventually saw the game out, but remain second in Group E after Real Sociedad won 2-0 in Sheriff to continue their 100 percent record on the continent- meaning a play-off against a team dropping out of the Champions League to reach the knockout stages remains a possibility.