Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has shed light on his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time during Thursday’s Europa League clash against FC Porto.
Rashford, who has been struggling for form recently, opened the scoring early on for United with a brilliant piece of wing play. He remained a constant threat on the left, repeatedly getting the better of full-back Joao Mario. Shortly after his goal, Rashford set up Rasmus Hojlund to make it 2-0.
However, to the surprise of many, Ten Hag replaced Rashford at half-time, prompting speculation about an injury. After the match, the Dutchman clarified his decision to bring on Alejandro Garnacho in place of Rashford.
“We have to rotate,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports. “We wanted to bring Garnacho on. We have to play Garnacho. We have a quick turnaround to [Aston] Villa. We want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.”
When asked if Rashford could have played more minutes, Ten Hag reiterated, “We have to play Garnacho. We go quickly, a quick turnaround to Villa. They have a day longer, we have an away game, so we want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.”
Given Rashford’s strong performance, many fans took to social media to express their disbelief at Ten Hag’s reasoning.
Erik ten Hag confirms that Marcus Rashford was substituted at half-time due to 'rotation' and not an injury worry.
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One fan tweeted: “Marcus Rashford was the most threatening player on the pitch. Porto couldn’t handle him… and Erik ten Hag took him off because of a pre-agreed rotation decision! Unbelievable!”
Another wrote: “Wow. Just wow. I thought he brought Rashford off due to injury, but Ten Hag just said he wasn’t. Rashford was the best player on the park in that first half. This makes no sense. He looked defeated.”
A third fan commented: “WOW! Ten Hag confirmed the Rashford sub was just rotation, not an injury. That is insane. He was literally our best, most effective player in the first half. Ludicrous decision.”
A fourth fan added: “Ten Hag said he subbed Rashford for Villa on Sunday. The best player on the pitch. Our only attacking threat in a game that could decide his future. Absolute joke.”
And a fifth said: “Just heard Ten Hag say he took off Rashford, our best player, at half-time for ‘rotation.’ No wonder Rashford struggles with this. That’s the last straw for me.”
United salvaged a point in Portugal thanks to a late Harry Maguire header, bringing the score to 3-3. They currently sit 21st in the Europa League table with two points from their first two games.
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