The 19-year-old was picked to start against Borussia Dortmund (Pictures: Getty)

Erik ten Hag says he feared Manchester United youngster Omari Forson could have been sent off against Borussia Dortmund so elected to sub the teen before half-time.

The 19-year-old ? one of just a few academy players to travel with the first-team squad to the USA ? was handed a surprise start against the Bundesliga side in Las Vegas on Sunday night, lining up on the right wing.

However, he only lasted just over half-an-hour before being withdrawn in the 37th minute and was replaced by Antony.

Moments earlier, Forson had been booked after clashing with Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi, with the two players exchanging heated words before the referee brandished a yellow card to each of them.
Antony was immediately sent to warm up and Forson was withdrawn shortly afterwards, with Ten Hag putting an arm around the teenager on the touchline as he explained his decision for roughly a minute.

Forson looked hugely disappointed to be hauled off so early in the match but Ten Hag says he could not risk having the youngster sent off and encouraged him to keep his cool in the future.

Asked about Forson?s short-lived outing after the match, Ten Hag told MUTV: ?When there’s VAR, he could be sent off.

Forson in action against Dortmund in Sunday’s defeat (Picture: Getty)

?He played a good game. The opponent got annoyed at him.

?But don’t take it into your own hands, you can’t be th...