Erik ten Hag chastised Marcus Rashford for his role in the poor defending that allowed Porto’s opening goal in Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Porto, but denied the forward was substituted at halftime, claiming it was just to rotate his squad.
United led 2-0 at Estadio do Dragao after Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund scored, but Pepe and Samu equalized for Porto in the first half. Pepe’s goal came from a cross down Rashford’s left wing, and the manager was questioned about why he replaced him with Alejandro Garnacho.
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Ten Hag stated, “I have to watch it back and over the left side, we definitely didn’t defend well tonight.” Marcus also played a role in this, but as I already stated, it was due to Garnacho’s substitution, not Rashford.
We need to rotate. We have a tough game on Sunday [at Villa Park], so we need fresh guys.” Ten Hag reported that he complained about the sloppy defending before halftime, but was disappointed five minutes later when Samu scored again.
“Then it’s really tough as we address it in half-time and then you concede the third one, so unnecessary,” Ten Hag joked. “So there’s no point in defending again, and it also requires 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.”
This came in extra time via a Harry Maguire header, after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second game in a row. A post-game inquest was convened in the United locker room.
Ten Hag is struggling to keep his job following a disastrous start to the season, so the comeback is welcomed. He said, “Don’t judge us now.
I will evaluate us at the end of the season. We’re in the process. Please wait. We need to build this team. We will work and continue. “We’ll fight.”
