In a thrilling Europa League clash, Manchester United managed to secure a 3-3 draw against Porto, but the spotlight fell on Marcus Rashford’s unexpected substitution at halftime. Manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that strategic rotation was the reason behind Rashford’s early exit, despite him being instrumental in the team’s first half, where he scored the opening goal and assisted Rasmus Hojlund.
Former Wales striker noted Rashford’s exceptional performance, stating, “Every time he gets the ball on the left he is terrifying Porto. He looks the most dangerous player on the pitch for Manchester United.”
In a surprising turnaround, Porto scored twice before halftime to equalize, and speculation about Rashford’s condition heightened when he did not emerge for the second half, replaced by Alejandro Garnacho. However, Ten Hag stated the substitution was part of a pre-planned rotation, designed to prepare for the upcoming match against Aston Villa.
Explaining his decision, Ten Hag emphasized the need for rotation as the team gears up for a demanding fixture schedule, noting, “We go quickly with a turnaround to Villa and they have had a day longer to recover.” He praised Garnacho’s performance and expressed confidence in the squad’s depth.
As the match continued, Porto took the lead with their third goal, leaving Manchester United to battle back with a stoppage-time equalizer from Harry Maguire. This result leaves United winless in four games, intensifying the pressure on Ten Hag as the team prepares for a challenging encounter against Aston Villa.
When asked about his future, Ten Hag remained resolute, insisting, “We will get there. Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process, and we will improve.”
Defender Harry Maguire also expressed his belief in Ten Hag’s abilities to navigate this turbulent time, emphasizing the importance of defensive stability in the team’s performances. Maguire acknowledged the need for greater resilience to maintain leads, insisting that the squad needs to regroup and maintain their belief after setbacks.
