Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains shock Marcus Rashford half-time substitution in 3-3 draw with Porto

Erik ten Hag revealed rotation was the rationale for Marcus Rashford’s shock substitution at half-time in Man Utd’s 3-3 draw with Porto within the Europa League on Thursday.

Rashford had been United’s finest performer within the first half, scoring his facet’s opener earlier than teeing up Rasmus Hojlund as Ten Hag’s facet flew out of the traps and surged right into a 2-0 lead.

Talking on Sky Sports activities Information about Rashford’s first-half efficiency, former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw stated: “Marcus Rashford has been excellent.

“Each time he will get the ball on the left he’s terrifying Porto. He appears to be like probably the most harmful participant on the pitch for Man Utd.”

Nevertheless, United had been pegged again earlier than the break as Porto pulled a aim again by way of Pepe and Samu Omorodion equalised earlier than half-time.

Rashford did not re-emerge for the second half and was changed by Alejandro Garnacho, with hypothesis mounting that he will need to have picked up an harm. Nevertheless, after the sport Ten Hag defined the substitution was all a part of the plan as he seemed forward to the Tremendous Sunday conflict with Aston Villa, dwell on Sky Sports activities.

“We have to rotate,” Ten Hag stated.

“Garnacho, we didn’t start him, but he had a great game not only Sunday but the whole season.

“We go shortly with a turnaround to Villa they usually have had a day longer to get better and we now have an away recreation.”

In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag added: “Yeah, however (substitute Alejandro) Garnacho was my finest participant on Sunday by far and in addition in lots of different video games,” he stated.

“I think in the season, as I assess it so far, he is bringing us so far the offensive threat by creating chances, assists, also scoring.

“Garnacho we additionally must play as nicely and we now have two superb gamers over that facet.”

Asked if the decision had anything to do with Rashford’s role in Porto’s first goal, Ten Hag said: “As I say, I’ve to look at it again and I believe over the left facet positively we did not defend nicely tonight.

“Marcus also played a part in this but, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”

Man United’s defending should enhance, admits Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag accepts Manchester United should do higher than squandering a 2-0 lead.

“We began the sport superb, scored two good targets, however then we misplaced management. The beginning was good, the center half was no good, then we completed superb.

“It’s a powerful place to go and we’re getting back from a 3-2, then get the equaliser, so it’s good for the spirit.

“You see once more that the workforce is keen, sturdy character, however the center half, the defending we now have to enhance.

“We have to be better on the ball and defend better.”

‘Do not choose Man Utd now’

Porto struck once more quickly after the restart by way of Omorodion’s second of the sport and United, who had been diminished to 10 males with 9 minutes left when captain Bruno Fernandes was despatched off for the second successive recreation after gathering a second yellow card for a excessive boot, appeared to be heading for one more damaging defeat.

Nevertheless, Ten Hag’s facet dug in to salvage a draw when substitute Harry Maguire headed in from a nook throughout stoppage time.

Regardless of the purpose, United, who stay within the knockout play-off spots in twenty first after a second draw, are winless in 4 video games and the character of this efficiency solely provides to the stress on Ten Hag forward of the powerful journey to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Pressed on his future, the Dutchman remained defiant, saying: “We will get there. Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season.

“We’re within the course of, we’ll enhance. We have now two seasons now the place we obtain finals, (so) simply wait.

“We have to develop and progress this team. We will work and continue and we will fight.

“You see the spirit and the connection between the employees and the workforce, the gamers are collectively and wish to obtain. We have now that good mentality, however some defending elements we now have to step up.”

Maguire’s backing for Ten Hag

United have now conceded three or extra occasions in a match on 24 events in all competitions since Ten Hag took over – greater than any Premier League facet has in that interval.

This was the third time they’ve conceded three in a recreation this season alone.

Nevertheless, aim scorer Maguire went on to again Ten Hag to make use of his expertise to drag United by way of this troublesome spell.

“I have played for this club for six years and I know how it works,” Maguire stated.

“When you go through a bad spell, players come under pressure, but also the manager does.

“He [Ten Hag] is skilled sufficient, he has been within the recreation lengthy sufficient and has been at this membership lengthy sufficient, so I’m certain he has learnt the best way to cope with it.

“It is part and parcel of playing for or managing this club, part of the privilege that you have.”

Maguire: We have to defend higher

Harry Maguire accepts Manchester United should be extra stable after permitting Porto to combat their method again from 2-0 down to attract 3-3 within the Europa League.

The defender stated: “While you get 2-0 up away from house at a spot like this, you need to be a bit extra stable and safe.

“There have been far too many gaps, too many crosses coming into the field they usually in the end punished us for it.

“We performed very well with the ball within the first half, we simply must do extra with out it.

“It most likely begins with perception – once we go 2-0 up after which we concede, it’s simply the assumption that goes a bit between the boys that we are able to go on and win the sport.

“It is something that we need to be aware of and focus on, to really make sure that when we do concede we get together, regroup and stick together, because that is part and parcel of football and something we have to do better.”

Response to Marcus Rashford’s substitution in Sky Sports activities’ dwell weblog…

Man United’s defending should enhance, admits Ten Hag