Erik ten Hag explains Marcus Rashford half-time substitution after Porto draw

Yesterday at 05:52 PM

Marcus Rashford was brought off at half-time during Manchester United’s draw with Porto to keep him fresh for their weekend clash with Aston Villa, Erik ten Hag confirmed.

Rashford broke the deadlock before setting up Rasmus Hojlund for United’s second as the Red Devils surged into an early two-goal lead away from home in the Europa League.

However, goals from Pepe and Samu Omorodion drew the hosts level at the break in a topsy-turvy encounter in Portugal.

Despite being one of United’s best performers in the first 45 minutes, Rashford was surprisingly brought off before the second half, with Alejandro Garnacho replacing him for the second half.

However, Ten Hag confirmed that the decision was not injury-related and merely a matter of rotation ahead of a hectic schedule for the Red Devils.

‘We have to rotate,’ he told TNT Sports. ‘We didn’t start Garnacho and he had a great game not only on Sunday but I think the whole season.

‘On Sunday we have another hard game, so we need players to be available and fit and fresh.’

Pressed on whether Rashford could have continued, Ten Hag responded: ‘We have to play Garnacho. We have a quick turnaround to Villa.

‘They have a day longer [to recover] and we have an away game [today] so we want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.’

More to follow…

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.