Ten Hag Laments Manchester United’s Defensive Lapses in 3-3 Europa League Draw Against FC Porto

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised his players for “switching off” during their 3-3 draw against FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. Despite taking a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes at Estadio do Dragao, United conceded twice in seven minutes to go into half-time level, before falling behind early in the second half.

In a post-match news conference, Ten Hag expressed his mixed feelings about the result, saying, “We scored two great goals and then we switched off. We don’t keep possession and defending, we’re switching off. We concede the first goal totally unnecessary and then you light up the fire in this stadium and it becomes very tough.”

The Dutch manager revealed that he addressed the issues at half-time, but was disappointed with his team’s defending for the third goal. “We addressed it at half-time and then you concede a third one, so unnecessary. It’s no good defending again. That’s also to do with some willingness in some moments,” he said.

Ten Hag also had to defend his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time, despite the forward scoring United’s opening goal and looking sharp throughout the first half. Initially, the manager stated that the substitution was made to keep Rashford fresh for the upcoming match against Aston Villa on Sunday. However, he later hinted that the change was made because both of Porto’s first-half goals had come from crosses on Rashford’s side of the pitch.

“Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games,” Ten Hag explained. “I think in the season as I assess it so far, he is bringing us so far the offensive threat by creating chances, assists, also scoring. Garnacho, we also had to play him as well and we have two very good players over that side.”

He added, “I have to watch [the game] back and I think over the left side definitely we didn’t defend well tonight and Marcus also played a part in this. But, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”

Despite the disappointing result, United managed to salvage a point thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Harry Maguire. The draw leaves Manchester United with work to do in their quest to progress in the Europa League.