 "Erik ten Hag explains Marcus Rashford substitution vs Porto, criticises his defending: 'Marcus also played a part'")
Erik ten Hag singled out Marcus Rashford after Manchester United registered a come-from-behind draw away from home against FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. United were leading 2-0 in the first half after Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund scored respectively but Porto launched a comeback with Pepe’s goal while Samu Omorodion equalised before half-time.
Rashford was substituted at the first-half break as Samu scored again in the second-half to give Porto a 3-2 lead only for Harry Maguire to clinch a goal in injury time and help United earn a draw at the Estadio do Dragao .
Ten Hag explains Rashford substitution
After the match, Ten Hag said he took off Rashford to rotate the squad and blamed the forward for Porto’s opening goal.
“I have to watch it back and over the left side, definitely we didn’t defend well tonight. Marcus also played a part in this but as I say it had to do with Garnacho coming on – and nothing against Rashford. We have to rotate. We have a tough game on Sunday [at Villa Park] and we need players fresh,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag also revealed that he discussed the team’s poor defending with his players after the first-half break but United conceded just five minutes into the second-half.
“Then it’s really tough as we address it in half-time and then you concede the third one, so unnecessary. So it’s no good defending again and it’s also to do with some willingness.
“But after such a moment I have to praise the guys: how they return in the game, how they fight, how we find a way to get the equaliser.”
‘Judge us in the end’
The Dutch manager is having a poor season at Man United with the club winning just two wins from the first six Premier League fixtures and are in 13th place in the table.
They have also drawn their opening two Europa League games, sitting 21st in the 36-team table.
Ten Hag, however, put up a defiant face after Porto’s draw and said that the time to judge his team will come at the end of the season by which they will improve.
“We will get there, don’t judge us in this moment,” said Ten Hag. “Judge us in the end of the season. We will improve, we have two seasons where we achieved finals. Just wait, we will develop and progress this team.”
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