“Ten Hag Critiques Rashford’s Defending in Porto Draw, Denies Substitution Was Punitive” 2024-10-04

Erik ten Hag expressed his dissatisfaction with Marcus Rashford's contribution to Manchester United's defensive lapses during their 3-3 draw against Porto. Despite this criticism, the manager clarified that Rashford's substitution at halftime was not a punishment, but rather a strategic decision to rotate his squad. United initially took a commanding 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes at Estádio do Dragão, thanks to goals from Rashford and Rasmus Højlund. However, they allowed Porto to equalize in a rapid seven-minute span, with Pepê's goal coming from a cross that originated from Rashford's side of the pitch. When questioned about the decision to replace Rashford with , Ten Hag emphasized that the substitution was not solely based on that incident. After the match, Ten Hag urged observers not to judge the team based on their current performance, highlighting the need for patience as they navigate through challenges.

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Question 1: What did Erik ten Hag criticize Marcus Rashford for after the match against Porto?

Erik ten Hag criticized Marcus Rashford for his role in the poor defending that led to Porto's opening goal.

Question 2: Did Ten Hag consider Rashford's substitution at half-time a punishment?

No, Ten Hag denied that the substitution was a punishment, stating it was simply to rotate his squad.

Question 3: How did the match between Manchester United and Porto unfold in the first half?

Manchester United took a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes, but Porto equalized with two goals from Pepê and Samu in a span of seven minutes.

Question 4: What was the final score of the match between Manchester United and Porto?

The final score was a 3-3 draw between Manchester United and Porto.

Question 5: What specific incident led to Ten Hag's criticism of Rashford during the match?

The incident involved a cross along Rashford's left flank that resulted in Pepê scoring Porto's opening goal.

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