How can you take off you best player at first half? He was never injured. Erik ten Hag need to be sacked”-Fans baffled and fumes as Erik ten Hag explains why Marcus Rashford was taken off at half-time against FC Porto

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time during Thursday’s Europa League match against FC Porto.

Rashford, who has been struggling with form recently, opened the scoring for United early in the game with an impressive display on the wing. He consistently posed a threat on the left flank, repeatedly outplaying full-back Joao Mario. Shortly after scoring, Rashford assisted Rasmus Hojlund to make it 2-0.

However, Ten Hag’s decision to replace Rashford at half-time surprised many, leading to speculation about a possible injury. After the game, the Dutch manager clarified that he brought on Alejandro Garnacho in Rashford’s place for rotation purposes.

“We have to rotate,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports. “We wanted to bring Garnacho on. We have to play Garnacho. We have a quick turnaround to [Aston] Villa. We want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.”

When asked if Rashford could have played more minutes, Ten Hag reiterated, “We have to play Garnacho. We go quickly, 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’s strong performance left many fans on social media bewildered by Ten Hag’s reasoning.

One fan tweeted: “Marcus Rashford was the most threatening player on the pitch. Porto couldn’t handle him… and Erik ten Hag took him off because of a pre-agreed rotation decision! Unbelievable!”

Another wrote: “Wow. Just wow. I thought he brought Rashford off due to injury, but Ten Hag just said he wasn’t. Rashford was the best player on the park in that first half. This makes no sense. He looked defeated.”

A third fan commented: “WOW! Ten Hag confirmed the Rashford sub was just rotation, not an injury. That is insane. He was literally our best, most effective player in the first half. Ludicrous decision.”

A fourth fan added: “Ten Hag said he subbed Rashford for Villa on Sunday. The best player on the pitch. Our only attacking threat in a game that could decide his future. Absolute joke.”

And a fifth said: “Just heard Ten Hag say he took off Rashford, our best player, at half-time for ‘rotation.’ No wonder Rashford struggles with this. That’s the last straw for me.”

United managed to secure a point in Portugal thanks to a late Harry Maguire header, making the score 3-3. They currently sit 21st in the Europa League standings with two points from their first two games.