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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested that Marcus Rashford’s failure to keep up with Joao Mario for Porto’s first goal may have influenced his half-time substitution.
Ten Hag needed a victory against Porto to relieve some of the pressure on his shoulders, and United had a fairytale start to the game as they went 2-0 up, courtesy of strikes from Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
However, both sides would go in level at the break before Porto took the lead just minutes after the restart.
The Liga Portugal giants seemed destined to win and pile further misery on Ten Hag and United but Maguire was thrust into the action from the bench and came up with a dramatic equalising goal in added time.
Maguire’s headed finish ensured that the points were shared between United and Porto at the Estádio do Dragão.
One of the major talking points from the game was Rashford’s odd substitution at half-time. The Englishman was by far the Red Devils’ best player during the opening 45 minutes. In addition to his goal, he also registered an assist for Hojlund’s strike.
Rashford was a threat to the Porto defenders throughout, hence the puzzling nature of Ten Hag’s decision to take him off and introduce Alejandro Garnacho.
There were fears that he may have picked up an injury but Ten Hag told TNT Sports that he wanted to rotate his players in order to keep them fresh for this weekend’s meeting against Aston Villa.
Speaking in his presser, the Rashford issue came up again and Ten Hag reiterated that he wanted to afford Garnacho some minutes.
However, the Dutch coach hinted that a moment of defensive lapse from Rashford may have played a part in his peculiar substitution.
Ten Hag said, “Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games.”
“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 whether Rashford’s failure to track Joao Mario – who crossed the ball for Porto’s first goal – was the reason for 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.”
Ten Hag also pointed an accusing finger at some of his other stars for not being “willing” to defend Samu Omorodion’s goal that gave Porto the lead in the 50th minute.
The United boss pointed out, “I think it’s mixed feelings.”
“We scored two great goals and then we switched off. We don’t keep possession and defending, we’re switching off. We concede the first goal totally unnecessary and then you light up the fire in this stadium and it becomes very tough.”
“We addressed it at half-time and then you concede a third one, so unnecessary. It’s no good defending again. That’s also to do with some willingness in some 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.”
The second match in Ten Hag’s must-win doubleheader takes them to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, where they face the daunting challenge of trying to overcome Unai Emery’s side, who are riding high after their famous victory over Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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