Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford was substituted at half-time during Manchester United’s Europa League draw with Porto to keep him “fit and fresh” for their Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The 26-year-old forward was removed at the interval and replaced by Alejandro Garnacho despite scoring one goal and assisting another during the first half at Estadio do Dragao.
“We have to rotate,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports.
“On Sunday we have another hard game so we need players to be available and be fit and fresh,” he added.
Asked whether Rashford was fit to feature in the second half, he replied: “We quickly turnaround to Villa, they have a day longer, we have an away game, so we want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.”
Rashford gave United the lead after just seven minutes with his fourth goal of the season. He turned provider 13 minutes later, teeing up Rasmus Hojlund to put the visitors in command.
Ten Hag was later asked to comment on Rashford’s defending for Porto’s first goal after the forward failed to block the cross for Pepe’s headed effort.
“As I say, I have to to watch it back and I think over the left side, definitely, he didn’t defend well tonight,” he said.
Ten Hag added Garnacho was United’s “best player on Sunday by far” and insisted the switch was “nothing against Rashy (Rashford)”.
Samu Omorodion, who came close to joining Chelsea in the summer, scored two goals either side of the break to put the hosts in command.
Porto looked to be on course for victory as Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second yellow card, but substitute Harry Maguire salvaged a point for the visitors with a stoppage-time headed goal.
The result means United have won just one of their last 10 outings in European competition under Ten Hag, extending their current winless streak to four games in all competitions.
United, 13th in the table Premier League ahead of the trip to Villa Park, have won just three of their opening nine games of the new campaign.
(Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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