Erik ten Hag revealed that rotation was the reason for Marcus Rashford’s surprise half-time substitution in Man Utd’s 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

Rashford was United’s best player in the first half, scoring his side’s opener before teeing up Rasmus Hojlund as Ten Hag’s side flew out of the traps to take a 2-0 lead.

Speaking Sky Sports News Speaking about Rashford’s first-half performance, former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw said: “Marcus Rashford was excellent.

“Every time he gets the ball on the left he scares Porto. He looks like the most dangerous player on the pitch for Man Utd.”

However, United trailed before half-time as Porto pulled a goal back through Pepe and Samu Omorodion equalized before half-time.

Rashford did not feature again in the second half and was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho, with speculation mounting that he must have suffered an injury. However, after the match Ten Hag explained that the substitution was all part of the plan as he looked ahead to the Super Sunday match against Aston Villa, seen live on Air sports.

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“We have to rotate,” said Ten Hag.

“Garnacho, we didn’t start him, but he played a great game, not just on Sunday, but all season.

“We go to Villa with a quick turnaround and they have had an extra day to recover and we have an away game.”

At his post-match press conference, Ten Hag added: “Yes, but (replacement Alejandro) Garnacho was by far my best player on Sunday and in many other matches too,” he said.

“I think this season, as I see it so far, he is bringing us the attacking threat so far by creating chances, providing assists and also scoring.

“Garnacho, we have to play too and we have two very good players on that side.”

Asked if the decision had anything to do with Rashford’s role in Porto’s first goal, Ten Hag said: “Like I said, I have to look back and I think we certainly didn’t defend well on the left tonight .

“Marcus also played a role in this, but like I said, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing to do with Rashy.”

‘Don’t judge Man Utd now’

Porto struck again shortly after the restart through Omorodion’s second of the match and United, who were reduced to ten men with nine minutes to go when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second successive game after receiving a second yellow card received for a high boot, seemed to be heading for another damaging defeat.

However, Ten Hag’s team managed to salvage a draw when substitute Harry Maguire headed in from a corner during injury time.

Despite the point, United, who remain in 21st place in the knockout play-offs after a second draw, are winless in four games and the nature of this performance only adds to the pressure on Ten Hag ahead of the tough trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Pressed about his future, the Dutchman remained defiant, saying: “We will get there. Don’t judge us at the moment, judge us at the end of the season.”

“We are in the process, we will improve. We now have two seasons of reaching finals, (so) just wait and see.

“We have to develop this team and move it forward. We will work and we will continue and we will fight.

“You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team, the players are together and want to achieve something. We have that good mentality, but we need to step up some defensive parts.”

Maguire supports Ten Hag

Since taking over from Ten Hag, United have now conceded three or more times in a match 24 times in all competitions – more than any Premier League team has ever done.

This was the third time this season that they have conceded three in a game.

However, goalscorer Maguire backed Ten Hag and used his experience to pull United through this difficult period.

“I’ve been playing for this club for six years and I know how it works,” said Maguire.

“When you go through a bad period, players come under pressure, but also the manager.

“He (Ten Hag) is experienced enough, he has been in the game long enough and has been at this club long enough, so I am sure he has learned how to deal with it.

“It’s an essential part of playing for or managing this club, part of the privilege you have.”