Erik ten Hag revealed rotation was the explanation 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 mentioned: “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.”
Nonetheless, United had 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 harm. Nonetheless, 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 to rotate,” Ten Hag mentioned.
“Garnacho, we didn’t start him, but he had a great game not only Sunday but the whole season.
“We go rapidly with a turnaround to Villa they usually have had a day longer to get better and now we have an away recreation.”
In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag added: “Yeah, however (alternative Alejandro) Garnacho was my finest participant on Sunday by far and in addition in lots of different video games,” he mentioned.
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The Instances’ Charlotte Duncker discusses why she believes Erik Ten Hag acquired it ‘actually improper’ with taking off Marcus Rashford of their Europe League fixture towards Porto, saying it ‘does not sound like he was watching the primary half’.
“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 need to play as properly and now we 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 observe it again and I believe over the left facet positively we did not defend properly tonight.
“Marcus also played a part in this but, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”
‘Do not choose Man Utd now’
Harry Maguire celebrates his stoppage time equaliser for Manchester United towards Porto
Porto struck once more quickly after the restart by Omorodion’s second of the sport and United, who had been decreased 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, seemed to be heading for an additional damaging defeat.
Nonetheless, 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.
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 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 are going to 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 group, the gamers are collectively and need to obtain. We have now that good mentality, however some defending elements now we have to step up.”
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Robert Earnshaw reacts to Bruno Fernandes receiving his second pink card in per 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 facet has in that interval.
This was the third time they’ve conceded three in a recreation this season alone.
Nonetheless, aim scorer Maguire went on to again Ten Hag to make use of his expertise to tug United by this troublesome spell.
“I have played for this club for six years and I know how it works,” Maguire mentioned.
“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 find out how to cope with it.
“It is part and parcel of playing for or managing this club, part of the privilege that you have.”
