MANCHESTER UNITED fans brutally booed the decision to replace Rasmus Hojlund with Anthony Martial against Brighton.

The summer signing had made his home debut from the start on Saturday afternoon.

However, a chorus of boos could be heard inside Old Trafford in reaction to Erik ten Hag's decision to withdraw the Danish forward.

Hojlund was subbed off in the 64th minute, with United trailing 2-0, and replaced by Martial.

Ten Hag was adamant after the match that the booing was not aimed at Martial and was instead a sign of the fans' appreciation of Hojlund.

"I think it was positive," he said. "You see the fans in the first moment in Old Trafford, the reception for him was great.

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"I think he performed very well, it's good they give this signal, this message, it will give Rasmus belief.

"But everyone knows he came in with a small issue, we built him over the last three or four weeks, he is not ready for a whole game and we have many games to play at short notice, so we have to build the fitness."

When it was put to the United boss that the booing was definitely for bringing Martial on, he remained defiant.

He said: "I think it was because Rasmus Hojlund came off but I don't want to discuss that, so I don't know.

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"But I think Anthony Martial, last year, every time he played he had a very positive effect on our games.

"We almost lost no games with Anthony Martial on the pitch, so if that's the fact. When he is fit he will definitely contribute. At this moment, he is not tip fit."

Hojlund had thought he had opened his account for the Red Devils earlier in the match.

Following a cut-back from Marcus Rashford, Hojlund found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed.

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A VAR review adjudged that the ball had gone out of play before Rashford could pull it back.

Hojlund made his much-anticipated first start following his £72million arrival from Atalanta.

Fans were made to wait to see their new striker in action due to an injury Hojlund suffered in pre-season with the Serie A side.

He finally got his first taste of the Premier League off the bench against Arsenal before the international break.

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