Erik ten Hag addresses backlash from Man Utd fans over Marcus Rashford decision in Liverpool defeat

Erik ten Hag has explained his reasoning for substituting Alejandro Garnacho instead of Marcus Rashford during Manchester United's loss to Liverpool.

United endured a nightmare afternoon at Old Trafford on Sunday as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat against arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

It was another disappointing performance from the Red Devils, with Casemiro and Marcus Rashford, in particular, coming under fire for their displays.

However, while Casemiro was hauled off at half-time, Rashford played the entire 90 minutes despite failing to trouble the Liverpool defence throughout the encounter.

During the second half, fans let their feelings known when they booed Ten Hag’s decision to bring off Garnacho instead of Rashford as his side searched for a way back into the game.

However, at full-time, the Dutchman defended his decision and said that both Joshua Zirkzee and Garnacho were not ready to play the full 90 minutes.

‘It was the first start for [Joshua] Zirkzee and for [Alejandro] Garnacho. Then you decide to bring players on who can have an impact,’ Ten Hag told the BBC.

‘[Amad] Diallo, he deserved it [to come on]. he can have an impact. We then brought a player off who is not used to 90 minutes.’

Ten Hag also insisted that Rashford’s attacking threat warranted him staying on the pitch even though the Englishman failed to register a shot on goal.

‘The second thing as well, Rashford had some very good assists for Zirkzee. So he had an impact in the game,’ he added.

Queried on the decision to bring off Casemiro at half-time, Ten Hag added: ‘You know the game and he knows the game. He will go on and we will go on.

‘He’s a great player. We will continue this season to improve the team and the players.

‘He improved and has shown so often that he is a great character. He has won everything in his career.

‘We all have seen great moments from him and him be decisive in midfield. He will show that again and will bounce back.’

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