Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has spoken out on his decision to substitute Matthijs de Ligt at half-time during his side's 2-2 draw against Germany in the Nations League.
The Manchester United defender gave the ball away in the build-up to Germany's equaliser to make it 1-1 in the first half.
Centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk could be seen punching the turf in frustration after Deniz Undav scored, with the Liverpool defender then appearing to gesture towards De Ligt.
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The United defender was withdrawn from the action at half-time, with the scores at 2-1 to Germany, and replaced by Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Denzel Dumfries would equalise for the Dutch on 50 minutes, with the game eventually ending 2-2.
In the build-up to the match, Koeman defended De Ligt after he was criticised by sections of the national media for his performance in the Netherlands' 5-2 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday.
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And speaking after the Germany draw, Koeman again sympathised with the defender - but explained why he felt he had to remove him from the action at half-time.
He explained: "Of course, I would rather have kept Matthijs de Ligt on the pitch.
"It just looks like he is now in a period where all his mistakes are being punished.
"I gave him a new chance today, but eventually protected him by taking him off."
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De Ligt will now return to Manchester ahead of United's away trip to Southampton on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag's side are looking to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, with De Ligt starting that game but being replaced by Harry Maguire on 69 minutes.
He moved to United from Bayern Munich for a fee of £45 million in the summer, with the deal being officially announced on the same day that Bayern team-mate Noussair Mazraoui also joined the club.
Topics: Ronald Koeman, Matthijs De Ligt, Football, Netherlands, Manchester United
Ryan Smart