Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag surprises fans as he explains why Marcus Rashford came off vs Porto

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag surprises fans as he explains why Marcus Rashford came off vs Porto

Before Marcus Rashford was replaced, Erik ten Hag said that his defense during Manchester United’s disorganized first half against Porto was a problem. In the seventh minute, Rashford gave United a 1-0 lead.

In the twentieth minute, he found Rasmus Hojlund to increase United’s lead. But Porto tied the game at the half after scoring twice in the space of seven minutes.

After warming up at halftime, Alejandro Garnacho unexpectedly took Rashford’s position, who had failed to play all ninety minutes in any of his prior five United appearances. Ten Hag asserted that Rashford’s dismissal had to do with rotation.

Ten Hag emphasized at his press conference after the game that Garnacho needed to be introduced because he wasn’t thought to be well enough to begin the contest.

“Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games,” Ten Hag stressed. “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 also had to play him as well and we have two very good players over that side.”

When asked if Rashford’s failure to keep up with Joao Mario, who crossed the ball for Porto’s first goal, contributed to his withdrawal, Ten Hag replied: “I have to watch it back and I think over the left side, definitely we didn’t defend well tonight and Marcus also played a part in this.

“But, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”

Harry Maguire’s 91st-minute header spared United from a fourth defeat this season but they are winless in four games and have won only one of their past ten European matches.

United have plundered 12 goals in their last four European away games but not won any of them, having lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen and drawing 3-3 with Galatasaray last year.

Ten Hag accused some United players of a lack of willingness to defend Samu Omorodion’s 50th-minute goal that put Porto 3-2 ahead.

“I think it’s mixed feelings,” Ten Hag added. “We all know this is a very tough place to go. When you start so well, the players execute the plan brilliantly, we scored two great goals. And then we switch off.

“We don’t keep so much possession as before, defending we’re switching off, we concede the first goal totally unnecessarily and then you know you light up the fire in this stadium. In this ambience, it becomes really tough.

“We addressed it at half-time and then we concede the third one so unnecessarily, no one defending again and that has also to do with some willingness in such moments.

“But then I have to praise the guys, how they return in the game and how they fight and find a way to get an equaliser.”