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 aspect’s opener earlier than teeing up Rasmus Hojlund as Ten Hag’s aspect 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 wonderful.
“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 have been pegged again earlier than the break as Porto pulled a aim again by 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 should have picked up an damage. 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, reside on Sky Sports activities.
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“We have now to rotate,” Ten Hag stated.
“Garnacho, we did not begin him, however he had a terrific recreation not solely Sunday however the entire season.
“We go rapidly with a turnaround to Villa and so they have had a day longer to get well and now we have an away recreation.”
In his post-match press convention, Ten Hag added: “Yeah, however (alternative Alejandro) Garnacho was my finest participant on Sunday by far and likewise in lots of different video games,” he stated.
The Occasions’ Charlotte Duncker discusses why she believes Erik Ten Hag obtained it ‘actually incorrect’ with taking off Marcus Rashford of their Europe League fixture in opposition to Porto, saying it ‘does not sound like he was watching the primary half’.
“I feel within the season, as I assess it to this point, he’s bringing us to this point the offensive risk by creating probabilities, assists, additionally scoring.
“Garnacho we additionally must play as properly and now we have two excellent gamers over that aspect.”
Requested if the choice had something to do with Rashford’s position in Porto’s first aim, Ten Hag stated: “As I say, I’ve to look at it again and I feel over the left aspect undoubtedly we did not defend properly tonight.
“Marcus additionally performed a component on this however, as I say, it needed to do with Garnacho and nothing in opposition to Rashy.”
‘Do not choose Man Utd now’
Harry Maguire celebrates his stoppage time equaliser for Manchester United in opposition to Porto
Porto struck once more quickly after the restart by Omorodion’s second of the sport and United, who have been lowered to 10 males with 9 minutes left when captain Bruno Fernandes was despatched off for the second successive recreation after amassing a second yellow card for a excessive boot, heading for one more damaging defeat.
Nevertheless, Ten Hag’s aspect 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 strain on Ten Hag forward of the robust journey to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Manchester United threw away a 2-0 lead however escaped with a 3-3 draw
Pressed on his future, the Dutchman remained defiant, saying: “We are going to get there. Do not choose us on this second, choose us on the finish of the season.
“We’re within the course of, we are going to enhance. We have now two seasons now the place we obtain finals, (so) simply wait.
“We have now to develop and progress this workforce. We are going to work and proceed and we are going to combat.
“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 components now we have to step up.”
Robert Earnshaw reacts to Bruno Fernandes receiving his second crimson card in every week as Manchester United tackle Porto within the Europa League.
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 aspect 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 tug United by this tough spell.
“I’ve performed for this membership for six years and I understand how it really works,” Maguire stated.
“If you undergo a nasty spell, gamers come underneath strain, but additionally the supervisor 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 how one can take care of it.
“It’s half and parcel of taking part in for or managing this membership, a part of the privilege that you’ve got.”
