With competitive action just around the corner, Ten Hag handed minutes to a selection of promising youngsters against Athletic including Pellistri, Omari Forson and Alvaro Fernandez.
“My players don’t give up, they fight until the end,” added the former Ajax boss. “I’m happy we got the equaliser and we had to fight for it. [The youngsters] deserve [the minutes], otherwise we don’t line them up.
“In pre-season, we have to give them opportunities. But they have to take it. Be brave and show yourself if you want to stay in the first team.”