Erik ten Hag baffles Man Utd fans with reason for Marcus Rashford substitution vs Porto

Under-fire boss has left supporters baffled after shedding light on his eyebrow-raising decision to take off at half-time against .

The Red Devils in the on Thursday, needing a 91st-minute equaliser from to avoid another humiliating defeat. United were 2-0 up after 20 minutes, with Rashford and seemingly putting them in cruise control.

But Ten Hag's side conceded twice before the break and when his team came out for the second half, Rashford didn't return to the pitch. The 26-year-old had been subbed in place of , a decision which Ten Hag says was due to 'rotation' and the need for the Argentine to get minutes under his belt.

"We have to rotate," the Red Devils manager told post-match. "Garnacho we didn't start him but he's had a good season. We have another hard game on Sunday so we need players to be available and fresh. We go quickly to [Aston] Villa [on Sunday], they have a day longer, we had an away game."

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United fans were baffled by Ten Hag's comments, as one user said on X: "Bizarre. [Rashford] plays more when he didn't score the last 18 months then dropped/subbed when he does." A second added: "It beggers belief. I was certain Rashford must have picked up an injury. Baffling decision."

One supporter suggested that it was Rashford's lacklustre defenders efforts which led to his substitution. "[He was] also responsible for both Porto goals!" they argued. "Their right-back had acres of space to make those crosses." Another claimed: "Rashford was horrible defensively. He kept letting the opposition get past him. had his hands full.

Garnacho has scored four goals and registered three assists in 10 games for United this season. In comparison, Rashford has now struck four times and registered two assists.

Despite only playing 45 minutes, the forward completed the most dribbles (three) in the entire match to add to his goal and assist. Garnacho did his best to replicate that after coming on, taking a total of eight shots - more than double any other player on the night.

Get involved! Who should start for Man Utd against Aston Villa - Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garancho? Have your say in the .

It was Maguire who ultimately proved to be United's savour in Porto, potentially keeping Ten Hag in a job for at least three more days - not that he's assessing his work yet. "I don't judge us in this moment," the Red Devils boss added.

"I judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process. Just wait. We have to develop this team. We will work and continue. We will fight."

Also speaking to TNT Sports, Maguire said regarding his manager's uncertain future: "I've played for this club for six years, I know how it works. When you go on a bad spell players come under pressure and also the manager does. He's experienced enough and been at this club long enough so I'm sure he knows how to deal with it. It's part of the privilege you have playing for this club."

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