Marcus Rashford substitution explained by Ten Hag after forward was withdrawn on the back of an excellent first half.
Marcus Rashford was withdrawn at half-time despite being one of the best players on the pitch for Manchester United.
Man United salvaged a 3-3 draw courtesy a Harry Maguire goal in second-half added time. However, manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that the sub was purely rotational.
In Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Porto, he chastised Marcus Rashford for his role in the bad defence that enabled Porto’s first goal. Although he denied the striker was substituted for this at halftime.
At Estádio do Dragão, United jumped out to a 2-0 lead on 20 minutes thanks to goals from Rashford and Rasmus Højlund. But they let it slip as Pepê and Samu levelled the score in seven first-half minutes. A ball down Rashford’s left flank set up Pepê’s goal, and the manager was questioned about why he substituted Alejandro Garnacho for Pepê.
Ten Hag said: “I have to watch it back and over the left side, definitely we didn’t defend well tonight. Marcus also played a part in this but as I say it had to do with Garnacho coming on – and nothing against Rashford. We have to rotate. We have a tough game on Sunday [at Villa Park] and we need players fresh.” Ten Hag adds that at the interval he spoke about the slipshod defending but was let down five minutes into the second half as Samu scored again.
“Then it’s really tough as we address it in half-time and then you concede the third one, so unnecessary,” said Ten Hag. “So it’s no good defending again and it’s also to do with some willingness.
“But after such a moment I have to praise the guys. How they return in the game, how they fight, how we find a way to get the equaliser.”
Ten Hag is fighting to save his job after a torrid start to the season. So the comeback is welcome. He said: “Don’t judge us in this moment. I judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process. Just wait. We have to develop this team. Will work and continue. We will fight.”