Erik ten Hag offers shock explanation for Marcus Rashford substitution in chaotic Man United draw with Porto [Video]

Rashford had been United’s best player in the opening 45 minutes, scoring the first and assisting the second for Rasmus Hojlund, as the struggling side raced into a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes, only to be pegged back to 2-2 by the break.

It appeared the only reason he might come off is due to an injury, but Ten Hag insisted it was part of time-management, with Alejandro Garnacho, who came on in his place, also needing minutes.

“We have to rotate,” the United boss told TNT Sports. “We have a hard game on Sunday (against Aston Villa) so we need players fit and fresh.”

Ten Hag later added in a press conference: “Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far. Over the left side we didn’t defend well and Marcus also plays a part in this. But it was about Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”

The gamble did …