Image Credits: Getty Images
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has taken to his YouTube channel to discuss United’s recent Europa League game with Porto.
The game was yet another draw for The Red Devils, dropping them down to 21st in the Europa League.
Despite being 2-0 up after twenty minutes, United lost the lead, going 3-2 down before Harry Maguire saved a point for the side, with an extra-time goal.
After seven minutes, Marcus Rashford opened up the scoring, adding to his tallies 13 minutes later by assisting Rasmus Hojlund.
With such an early dominance of the game, it looked to be all over for Porto, but unfortunately for Erik ten Hag, this was not to be.
An initial goal from Pepe and another from Samu brought the Portuguese side back into the fray with only 34 minutes on the clock.
After half-time, Samu grabbed his second from a Pepe assist looking like they were headed for the win. However, Maguire came off the bench with only 12 minutes to go and grabbed the final goal just after the 90-minute mark.
The game brought many talking points, namely Bruno Fernandes’ second red card in two games and Marcus Rashford being replaced with Alejandro Garnacho after an impressive first half.
Marcus Rashford’s half-time substitution
As Rashford was playing so well, it seemed hard to believe that replacing the forward was tactical, sparking worries of a potential injury to the 26-year-old who seems to be finally finding his form again.
However, speaking after the game, ten Hag explained that it was tactical and commented: “We have to rotate.”
He continued: “Garnacho, we didn’t start him. He had a great game, not only on Sunday, but I think in the whole season.
“And so we shook them. On Sunday, we have again another hard game, good game. So we need players to be available and be fit and fresh.”
Rio Ferdinand comments on Erik ten Hag’s decision
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United defender has put out his thoughts on ten Hag’s decision to bench Rashford for the second half.
Starting with the positives in the game, Ferdinand said: “I thought the first 20 minutes we looked good, man. I thought it was a good performance. I thought with the ball especially.”
He continued: “I thought Rashford, I think he was direct. I think his goal was… that was Rashford, that was the Rashford I know and you want to see regular.
“Running at people, looked like he was being direct, looked like there was a little bit of confidence that come back. Even his celebration was a bit like, ‘Yeahhhh.’ That’s what I like to see, man.
“But then he’s brought off. I can’t lie, I just think he gets a goal, it’s like before, he scored a couple of goals, then the manager takes him out.
“Then he scores here, building a bit of confidence, yes, I think he could have done better for the Porto second goal, but one of your goalscorers is scoring again. Do you know what I mean?
“He’s in a nice vein of form, building a bit of confidence, building a bit of momentum.”
Marcus Rashford’s slowly finding his form
It seems Ferdinand is concerned that ten Hag’s routine decisions around Rashford are affecting the forward finding his form again.
When the player-turned-pundit visited Carrington recently to interview Erik ten Hag, he commented on how happy Rashford looked in training, with it being common knowledge now that Ruud van Nistelrooy has been working with the forward in one-on-one sessions.
Hopefully, this is just the start of Rashford getting his name on the scoresheet regularly. United will need the forward to keep contributing in their need to get better results as soon as possible.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CENTRE DEVILS WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!