Van Basten defends Huntelaar

(GSM) – Marco van Basten has backed Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after his disappointing performance against Manchester United.

Huntelaar was roundly criticised for doing little but miss a chance that could have send Milan 2-0 up.

Instead, they lost 3-2 and United now have one foot in the Champions League quarter-Finals.

Rossoneri boss Leonardo eventually brought Huntelaar off after 77 minutes to a chorus of boos. Filippo Inzaghi replace the former Real Madrid striker.

“I don’t know why he was substituted,” Van Basten said. “Inzaghi is a great player but you cannot forget that he will soon turn 37.

“You cannot focus on him for the future. Klaas is 10 years younger. Even if he made some mistakes, I would have left him on the pitch.

“There are games that a player needs in order to feel confident and part of the team. It happens above all when the games are important and the opponents strong.

“Klaas is a good striker, but he can’t work miracles by himself,” Milan legend Van Basten concluded.