Wayne Rooney has ripped into Erik ten Hag’s decision to substitute Marcus Rashford during Man United’s 3-3 draw with Porto last week.
Rashford had given United the lead in the seventh minute with a fine solo effort but didn’t emerge for the second half, with Alejandro Garnacho entering the fray.
After cutting inside from the left flank and showcasing his skills, Rashford went for goal, with his effort beating Diogo Costa and nestling in the back of the net.
However, despite Rashford’s opener, the winger was then hooked at half-time by Ten Hag – who later explained the player was not injured, but had been subbed for rotation purposes due to the packed schedule.
Now, United legend Rooney has hit out at the decision from the United boss and insisted that it was a ‘crazy’ choice from the Dutchman.
Speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Rooney said: ‘Some of the changes he is making… You never see top teams changing their centre-backs during the game – or the back four – and that happens on a regular basis.
‘The Rashford one… That was the best I’ve seen him play [v Porto] for a long time and to take him off at half-time and say we’ve got another game at the weekend is crazy.
‘I guarantee on this international break you see videos of him training with a coach away from the training ground – so if he can’t do two games in a week, he should have been resting’.
After Rashford’s first-half strike, Rasmus Hojlund proceeded to make it 2-0 to United but Porto subsequently staged a fightback before the break.
Pepe pulled a goal back and then Samu Omorodion equalised for the Portuguese side. The Porto forward struck again late on only for his effort to be cancelled out by a late Harry Maguire header.
Speaking after the match, Ten Hag attempted to justify his decision as 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 only played more than 75 minutes in three games throughout the opening stages 2024-25 campaign, and has only two seen out the full 90.
Rashford’s goal was his fourth strike for United so far this season, despite a rough start, and his performances have continued to improve in a side going through something of a malaise.
He was on target against Southampton in the Premier League and also hit a brace against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. (DailyMail)
