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Erik ten Hag acknowledged Marcus Rashford's defending was an issue in Manchester United's chaotic first half against Porto before he was substituted.

Rashford put United 1-0 up in the seventh minute and played in Rasmus Hojlund to extend United's advantage in the 20th minute. However, Porto scored twice within seven minutes to head in level at half-time.

Alejandro Garnacho warmed up at half-time and surprisingly replaced Rashford, who did not complete 90 minutes in any of his previous five United appearances. Ten Hag claimed Rashford's removal was rotation-related.

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At his post-match press conference, Ten Hag stressed the need to introduce Garnacho, who was not deemed fit enough to start the match.

"Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games," Ten Hag stressed. "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."

When asked if Rashford's failure to keep up with Joao Mario, who crossed the ball for Porto's first goal, contributed to his withdrawal, Ten Hag replied: "I have to watch it 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."

Harry Maguire's 91st-minute header spared United from a fourth defeat this season but they are winless in four games and have won only one of their past ten European matches.

United have plundered 12 goals in their last four European away games but not won any of them, having lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen and drawing 3-3 with Galatasaray last year.

Ten Hag accused some United players of a lack of willingness to defend Samu Omorodion's 50th-minute goal that put Porto 3-2 ahead.

"I think it's mixed feelings," Ten Hag added. "We all know this is a very tough place to go. When you start so well, the players execute the plan brilliantly, we scored two great goals. And then we switch off.

"We don't keep so much possession as before, defending we're switching off, we concede the first goal totally unnecessarily and then you know you light up the fire in this stadium. In this ambience, it becomes really tough.

"We addressed it at half-time and then we concede the third one so unnecessarily, no one defending again and that has also to do with some willingness in such moments. But then I have to praise the guys, how they return in the game and how they fight and find a way to get an equaliser."