Explained: Why Harry Maguire & Casemiro were subbed off at half-time in Man Utd’s win at Luton

The Red Devils appeared to be on course for a comfortable victory at Kenilworth Road when the in-form Rasmus Hojlund bagged a well-taken brace inside the opening seven minutes. United were, however, made to work hard for a narrow 2-1 success that saw five yellow cards picked up along the way.

Two of those were shown to Maguire and Casemiro inside the opening 45 minutes, leaving them walking a disciplinary tightrope. Ten Hag told Sky Sports afterwards when asked why he opted to hook the experienced duo at the interval: “I saw the reaction from the referee and thought they could go off with the next one. With [Scott] McTominay and [Jonny] Evans we have good replacements. Don't take the risk. I thought it was the right decision.”

United have won four successive Premier League games and are now just five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the battle for Champions League qualification. Ten Hag added: “I think we are back in the race and we are building momentum. We need to build pressure. Every game is a final to get closer to them.”

The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford, following his acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in the club, is intended to aid United’s cause – with more movement behind the scenes on the way before attention turns to the summer transfer window. Ten Hag said of that saga: “I have very good contacts. I know what's going on. For Manchester United, it is very good. It's highly ambitious. They are good people coming in. We are the project and they can help us and support us to accelerate this project.”

United will be back on home soil next weekend when they play host to Fulham. Maguire and Casemiro will be hoping to retain their starting berths for that fixture, but Ten Hag has some big selection calls to make as the Red Devils start to build momentum at a crucial stage of the season.