Man Utd fans say ‘you deserve better’ as goalscorer Marcus Rashford breaks silence on brutal half-time sub in Porto draw
MARCUS RASHFORD has spoken out after being hauled off at halftime during Man Utd’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Porto.
The Red Devils forward ended his mini-goal drought with a first-half strike at the Estadio do Dragao.
Rashford opened the scoring on 7 minutes, cutting in from the left and driving a shot under keeper Diogo Costa.
The Three Lions star was a thorn in Porto’s side throughout the half, later assisting Rasmus Hojlund for United’s second.
But he was surprisingly replaced by Alejandro Garnacho at the break after the hosts battled back to level the game 2-2.
Plenty of United fans were baffled by the decision, with the Red Devils eventually snatching a late point through Harry Maguire.
Following the game, Rashford wrote on Instagram: “Bitter Sweet. I’m happy to learn that I have broken into the top five scorers in Europe for United.
“But I’m gutted that we never managed to win tonight.”
One fan responded in the comments: “Proud of you Rashy, you deserve better.”
Another said: “You were a beast tonight more of that boy.”
And a third wrote: “Should’ve never been subbed.”
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United boss Erik ten Hag told reporters following the game Rashford had been subbed for “squad rotation.”
He said: “We had to rotate. Garnacho, we didn’t start him, he had a great game not only on Sunday but the whole season.
“On Sunday we have another hard game, a good game, so we need players to be available, fit and fresh.
“We have a quick turnaround to Villa. They have a day longer, we have an away game so we want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.”
Rashford has not played more than 75 minutes in a game since the Liverpool defeat on September 1.
He has completed 90 minutes of football just twice so far this season.
United visit Aston Villa on Sunday with the hosts buoyant after toppling Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Ten Hag is battling for his job following a dismal run of results.
Maguire saved United on Thursday, powering in a header just hours after learning he had been left out of Lee Carsley’s England squad.
But the Red Devils defender insisted the squad are still right behind the Dutchman.
When asked if the players believe in Ten Hag, Maguire replied: “Yeah definitely. I’ve played for this club for six years and I know how it works.
“When you go through a bad spell, players come under pressure but also the manager does.
“He’s experienced enough that he’s learned how to deal with it. It’s part and parcel of the privilege you have playing for or managing this club.”
Man Utd ratings vs Porto
MAN UTD ended up with a 3-3 draw after throwing away a 2-0 lead away to Porto.
Here’s how SunSport’s Dylan Terry rated the Red Devils’ stars performances in Portugal
Andre Onana – 6/10
Reacted brilliantly the first time he was called into action with a flying save, only for Porto to score the rebound.
Porto then scored with their next shot on target too – Omorodion’s header – and Onana could do little about the excellent finish for Porto’s third.
Made two great stops to keep Man Utd in the game.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Looked fairly stable in the first 45 minutes but waned as the game went on.
All at sea at the start of the second half as Porto cut through the right-hand side of Man Utd’s defence with ease.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Looked imposing in the air as he dealt with Porto’s crosses from both sides, but then failed to get in front of Omorodion for the hosts’ second goal.
Like most of the Man Utd side, his performance dropped as the game went on and he was bullied by Porto’s No9.
Lisandro Martinez – 4
Should have reacted quicker for the first Porto goal as Pepe got ahead of him to nod into an empty net – with Martinez static on the six-yard box.
There is clearly not much of a partnership with De Ligt as Porto pulled them apart all evening.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Porto enjoyed a lot of success down Man Utd’s left-hand side and Dalot looked all at sea on several occasions.
Had little help from Martinez but still looked exposed.
Casemiro – 3
Anonymous yet again in Man Utd’s midfield – the ball just passes him by.
Could not even manage one of his customary fouls.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Looked leggy out of possession but produced an impressive run before laying it off to Hojlund for Man Utd’s second goal.
Then failed to make much more of an impact and his delivery from wide areas left a lot to be desired.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
A damning indictment of Man Utd’s current predicament as Fernandes was shown a red card for a second successive game.
Two high boots, two yellow cards, and another early bath for the Portuguese playmaker – who had worked tirelessly prior to his dismissal.
Amad Diallo – 5
Very quiet aside from one burst through the middle as Rashford received all of the ball over the other side.
Replaced by Antony who arguably created even less.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7
Made his case for starting ahead of Joshua Zirkzee with a goal, firing beyond Costa at the near post.
Held it up and then showed his strength and pace to run at Porto before the break – showing little rustiness in his first start of the season.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Rashford showed his directness for the opening goal, driving at the Porto back line and forcing the error from Costa.
A constant threat in the first half as he assisted Hojlund’s strike.
But he was then surprisingly hooked at the break, a decision that will need an explanation from Ten Hag.
United currently sit in 21st place in the Europa League table.
Maguire added: “When you go 2-0 up away from home in a place like this you’ve got to be a little bit more solid and secure.
“There were far too many gaps and a lot of crosses coming in. In the first half they ultimately punished us. We played really well with the ball in the first half but really poorly without it.
“It’s something of a mental issue that we’ve got to overcome. It probably starts with belief. When we go 2-0 up and then concede, does the belief go a little bit?
“We need to be aware of it and make sure that when we concede we regroup and stick together. We’ve got to do that better.”