Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag explains why he substituted Marcus Rashford at half-time against Porto int the Europa League

Erik ten Hag surprised everyone by taking Marcus Rashford off at halftime, even though he had scored a goal and set up another for Manchester United in Porto.

Erik ten Hag said Marcus Rashford’s defense was bad in the first half of Manchester United’s wild game against Porto, before Rashford was taken off.

Rashford gave United a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute and then set up Rasmus Hojlund to make it 2-0 in the 20th minute. For the half, though, the score was tied after Porto scored twice in seven minutes.

Alejandro Garnacho warmed up at halftime and, surprisingly, took Rashford’s place. In any of Rashford’s five previous United games, he had not played the full 90 minutes. Ten Hag said Rashford was taken off because of his shift.

Ten Hag stressed the need to bring on Garnacho at his press conference after the game because he wasn’t thought to be fit enough to start.

“Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games,” Ten Hag said. “Based on how the season has gone so far, I think he has given us an offensive threat by creating chances, setting them up, and scoring.” Garnacho, we had to play him too, and that side has two very good players.

Rashford was taken off because he couldn’t keep up with Joao Mario, who crossed the ball for Porto’s first goal. Ten Hag said, “I have to watch it back, and I think over the left side, definitely we didn’t defend well tonight, and Marcus also played a part in this.”

“But, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”

United almost lost their fourth game this season, but Harry Maguire’s header in the 91st minute saved them. They have now lost four games in a row and only one of their last ten European games.

United has scored 12 goals in their last four European away games, but they haven’t won any of them. Last year, they lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen and tied 3-3 with Galatasaray.

A goal scored by Samu Omorodion in the 50th minute put Porto ahead 3-2, and Ten Hag said that some United players were not ready to defend the goal.

“I really feel that way,” Ten Hag said. “Everyone here knows this is a tough spot.” When things get off to a great start, the players do a great job carrying out the plan. We scored two great goals. After that, we turn off.

“We don’t keep the ball as much as we used to, we stop defending, we give up the first goal for no reason, and then you know you get everyone in this stadium excited.” It gets really hard in this setting.

“We talked about it at halftime, but then we gave up the third goal for no reason—no one defended again, and that has something to do with being willing in those situations as well.” But then I have to praise the guys for how they come back into the game, fight, and find a way to tie it up.