Soccer

ERIK ten Hag has revealed that his decision to hook Marcus Rashford at half-time against Porto wasn’t as a result of injury.Rashford was substituted at the break after scoring one and setting one up in the first half of Manchester United’s thrilling 3-3 draw with the Portuguese giants in the Europa League.Erik ten Hag has explained his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-timeCredit: ReutersRashford was hooked after getting a goal and assist in the first halfCredit: GettyRashford opened the scoring just seven minutes into the game before setting up Rasmus Hojlund in the 20th minute to double United’s lead.The Red Devils collapsed seven minutes later when they conceded twice in the space of seven minutes to go in level at the break.Despite Rashford being the brightest spark in the first half he was still replaced by Alejandro Garnacho at the break.The decision left TNT Sports commentator Robbie Savage certain that the 60-time England international must have been injured.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut Ten Hag has revealed that isn’t the case and Rashford was instead taken off with an eye on Man Utd’s clash with Aston Villa this weekend.Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, he said: “We have to rotate. We didn’t start Garnacho after he had a great game, not only on Sunday but I think all season.”On Sunday we have another hard game [against Aston Villa] so we need players to be available and to be fit and fresh.”When probed on if Rashford could have played some more minutes, ten Hag doubled down on his decision.Most read in FootballRashford impressed in the first halfFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAdding: “We have to play Garnacho. We have a quick turnaround to the Villa game.”They [Villa] have a day longer [to recover] and we are the away team. We want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.” Patrice Evra is confident Erik ten Hag can turn it around at Man UtdUnited offered very little attacking threat in the second half without Rashford on the pitch and, after conceding a third to Porto, relied on a late goal from Harry Maguire to scrape a draw.The Red Devils also had to play the last 10 minutes of the clash without Bruno Fernandes after he was sent off for two yellow cards – his second red card in as many matches.Maguire’s late header may have done more than rescue a point for United, it may have rescued Ten Hag’s job too.The Dutchman is under mounting pressure at Old Trafford after a dismal start to the season.And Sunday’s trip to Villa Park will be a huge test with the Villans riding high off the back of toppling European giants Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.There will be extra pressure on Ten Hag too with Man Utd chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly heading to Birmingham to watch on from the stands.READ MORE SUN STORIESRatcliffe hasn’t exactly seen the best of Ten Hag so far this season, attending only one game prior the Villa clash – United’s 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of rivals Liverpool.The billionaire Brit was left with his head in his hand at United’s midfield horror show on the day.Manchester United’s dire form continuesCredit: ReutersPressure is mounting on Erik ten HagCredit: Rex More

HARRY MAGUIRE has revealed Manchester United’s stars were “locked in the dressing room” after their draw with Porto.The Red Devils drew 3-3 in Portugal in the Europa League on Thursday night thanks to Maguire’s dramatic equaliser.Harry Maguire has explained why Manchester United were ‘locked in the dressing room’ after their draw with PortoCredit: TNT SportsHis headed goal in the 91st minute rescued a point for Erik ten Hag’s side after they had surrendered a two-goal lead.Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund’s goals were cancelled out before Samu Omorodion gave Porto a second half lead.Bruno Fernandes was then sent off for the second time in five days during the final 10 minutes.However, Maguire stepped up in added time to grab an equaliser and salvage a draw for United.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe defender and is team-mates later remained in the dressing room for 21 minutes after full-time.As a result, Porto players were left waiting to swap shirts outside as reporters also held on for post-match interviews.After finally emerging from the dressing room, though, Maguire explained why the players had been locked in for so long.Asked about the wait, he told TNT Sports: “After every game you analyse, you speak amongst yourselves, the manager spoke, few members of staff spoke and the players spoke as well.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”It’s pretty normal, I’ve been in many dressing rooms after the game where everyone has a chat and speaks about what we can do better.”Maguire’s goal was his first in eight appearances this season after coming off the bench to score.Dominic Solanke handed first England call-up in seven years as Lee Carsley leaves Jarrod Bowen and Harry Maguire out He replaced Lisandro Martinez in the 78th minute as United went in search of a leveller.Meanwhile, the draw follows another point in their opening Europa League clash with Twente last week.Those two points mean Ten Hag’s side sit 21st in the league phase table between Braga and Viktoria Plzen.The Red Devils now travel to Aston Villa on Sunday, with their next European clash away to Fenerbahce on October 24.Maguire’s 91st minute header rescued a draw for the Red Devils in the Europa LeagueCredit: EPA More

PHILIPPE CLEMENT insisted Lyon are in a different financial world.Last night some of their football was from another planet.Jack Butland can’t believe he’s been beaten so quickly after Gers equaliser by the ex-Arsenal manCredit: Willie VassLacazette went one bettwe with a stunner on the cusp of half-timeCredit: ReutersHe let fly from outside the box and silenced IbroxCredit: Willie VassBoss Pierre Sage spent £140 million on new talent this summer.Here his star-studded side ripped Rangers to shreds.Malick Fofana, Alexandre Lacazette and Rayan Cherki were a level above.A trio of Ibrox tormentors who if they weren’t scoring, were assisting.It finished four, it could so easily have been more.Lyon were sharp and precise in almost everything they did.At times, they played keep ball for fun.But they were also utterly ruthless in front of goal on a sobering night for Gers.Most read in FootballAfter last week’s memorable win in Malmo, Rangers were back at Ibrox for the first of four home Europa League matches.Bill Leckie reports from Ibrox after Rangers lose 4-1 to Lyon and Gers fans light fireworks and flares inside the stadiumIt was 17 years ago this week that Walter Smith’s class of 2007 were crowned Kings of Lyon thanks to a stunning 3-0 win in France.This was the third time the two teams had met. On the two previous occasions – in 2007 and 2021 – Rangers went on to reach the final of the Uefa Cup/Europa League.Will that prove to be a good omen?Despite their indifferent start to the season – the French giants are 11th in Ligue 1 – Lyon represented a significant step up in class.Sage’s side are among the favourites to win the tournament having spent a whopping 150 million euros this summer.Gers boss Clement can only dream of having such riches at his disposal.While Sage was spending 23m euros on Nottingham Forest centre half Moussa Niakhate, the Belgian was scrambling around in the loan deals market.Yet this is a competition in which the Ibrox side have punched considerably above their weight in recent years.And back home for the first time in Europe this season, Clement insisted his side had nothing to fear.He clearly hadn’t factored in the presence of Fofana and Lacazette.At times during a remarkable first half, Rangers were masters of their own downfall.On others they could only marvel at the skill, pace and power of the opposition.Clement’s side actually began with purpose.Inside the opening five minutes Robin Propper picked out Thomas Cerny with a brilliant diagonal ball.He fed James Tavernier whose shot deflected back off Lawrence and into his path.The Gers skipper got his shot away, but Lucas Perri produced a massive save with his feet.Dessers and Cerny both dithered in front of goal before the latter then blew a glorious chance to fire Rangers in front.Lawrence’s shot was parried into his path by Lyon keeper Perri.But with the French goal gaping, Cerny blazed high over the bar.He simply HAD to score.A minute later and Gers were left counting the cost of that miss.Lacazette forced Jack Butland into the initial save, but as soon as the brilliant Rayan Cherki robbed Bajrami of the ball, Rangers were back in trouble.Cherki should have been stopped in his tracks, instead he was allowed to work his way across the box with the ball somehow squeezed into Fofana’s path.He took it first time, curling a wonderful effort beyond Butland.Four minutes later and Rangers were level.Jefte did well down the left and after Cerny helped the ball back into the mix, Corentin Tolisso blundered badly.His attempt at a headed back pass was way too short with Dessers reading the play.He got there before Perri who managed to block the Nigerian’s effort only for Lawrence to slam home the rebound.Then it was Gers’ turn to hit the self-destruct.Just four minutes after drawing level, Connor Barron played a blind pass across midfield.Fofana was on it in a flash, holding off John Souttar before rolling the ball into the path of Lacazette.He finished well from close range.Barron immediately held up his hands, acknowledging his mistake.Gers then had Butland to thank as Fofana threatened to run riot.Souttar had already been booked and couldn’t touch him as he came charging towards the Rangers goal again.Tom Lawrence was crocked as he scored the equaliser and wouldn’t come out for the second halfCredit: PALyon’s attacking trident lit Ibrox upCredit: ReutersMalick Fofana tucked away his side’s fourthCredit: AFPCutting in on his right, he forced Butland into a fine save.The Ibrox No.1 had no chance, however, when Lyon did add a third just before the break.Fofana was again the architect, twisting and turning away from danger.Darting inside, he picked out Lacazette who still had plenty to do.But the former Arsenal star took one look up before smashing a stunning shot past the helpless Butland.Rangers had a mountain to climb in the second half.Things simply went from bad to worse when the action got back underway.Cherki turned Barron inside out before crossing for Fofana who beat Tavernier to the ball.It was a simple finish at the end of another quite brilliant passage of Lyon play.The visitors came close to adding a fifth with 67 minutes gone.Duke Caleta-Car’s header came crashing back off the bar with Gers sub Neraysho Kasanwirjo blocking on the line as Tolisso almost fired home the rebound.Kieran Dowell – who’d replaced Lawrence at the break – forced Perri into a brilliant save.At the other end, Butland was called into action to deny Cherki.By now, the Rangers players were willing the final whistle.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter all, this one had been over as a contest for a long, long time.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

ON A night when Erik Ten Hag desperately needed something to change, his team proved that they seem to be getting worse.It tells you everything you need to know about the state of Manchester United that it is no longer a surprise when they concede three goals.Erik ten Hag was rescued by Harry Maguire as Manchester United drew 3-3 with PortoCredit: ReutersMaguire equalised in the 91st minute after United had let a two-goal lead slipCredit: RexSamu Omorodion had scored twice to complete a dramatic turnaround for PortoCredit: GettyAnd it is the very reason why, surely, we are coming to the end of the Ten Hag era, despite the injury time leveller from sub Harry Maguire.Here was another 90 minutes of chaos and embarrassment.In what threatened to be morale-boosting victory for the beleaguered Dutchman, this shambolic team, a distant relative to the one which used to represent this club home and abroad, once again caved in despite securing a point.Leading 2-0 with goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, United conceded three times for the 24th time under Ten Hag.READ MORE ON MAN UTDStriker Pepe headed Porto’s first and then 20-year-old Spanish striker Samu Omorodion – who is proving to be a fine summer signing from Atletico Madrid – equalised before the break and then scored the third before Maguire came to the rescue.Ten Hag needed a captain’s performance from Bruno Fernandes but instead, he got sent off for the second game in a row.And unbelievably, it also means that under Ten Hag, United have managed just one win in 10 in Europe.Surely, this cannot go on much longer. Here is a team with little organisation, no characters, no leaders or backbone. Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThis latest performance, after the three-goal defeat at home to Spurs four days earlier, was not even a surprise. And this is why Ten Hag surely has to go.When United considered the second goal, assistant boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy was booked for complaining. Ex-Man Utd goalkeeper Howard criticised the club’s summer recruitment after losing against Spurs Yet the former United striker knew he had to be on his best behaviour, particularly as the club might need him as manager in the next round…But first of all, it is on to Aston Villa where Unai Emery’s side have just delivered arguably the club’s finest result for 42 years by beating Bayern Munich.If United play like this at Villa Park, they will be lucky to get away with conceding three goals.United could not have wished for a better start when Rashford gave them a seventh minute lead.Picking up the ball from Eriksen 40 yards from goal, Rashford cut inside from the left, carried the ball in the area and displayed some nifty footwork to dance through Joao Mario and Stephen Eustaquio.While his near-post shot was hardly thunderous, it was enough to catch out keeper Diogo Costa who should have done much better.Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United after just 10 minutesCredit: GettyRasmus Hojlund doubled the lead before their first half collapseCredit: ReutersIt was from a Rashford cross which saw Porto defender Ze Pedro come close to scoring a spectacular own goal but a wild swing of his right boot saw the ball flash across the face of the goal.On that occasion, Rashford was attempting to pick out Hojlund but the pair delivered the second goal soon after and United looked unstoppable.Rashford slipped the ball to Hojlund and with a first-time shot, the normally reliable keeper Costa was once again beaten at his near post. It was a first goal of the season for Hojlund in only his fourth appearance.He immediately sprinted over to the bench to celebrate with with physio David Binningsley, who helped him recover from the hamstring which saw him miss the start of the season,Yet the least surprising turn of events was United capitulating.Pepe’s goal kickstarted Porto’s dramatic comeback at the Estadio do DragaoCredit: GettyOmorodion completed the turnaround with his second goal and his side’s thirdCredit: ReutersWhile Onana delivered a flying save to prevent Noussair Mazraoui from scoring a headed own goal, the ball dropped in the path of Pepe who nodded the ball into the net.He would also have been grateful that Linsandro Martinez had switched off completely and reacted far too late.United’s defending was just as bad for the equaliser seven minutes later and on this occasion, it was all down to De Ligt.Firstly, he delivered a hopeless clearance and 10 seconds later, he was easily beaten by Omorodion who got his head to Joao Mario’s cross.It does seem that De Ligt is not particularly good in the air and from that type of cross, Maguire would have won the challenge without barely trying.At half-time, Ten Hag replaced Alejandro Garnacho for Rashford. Bruno Fernandes was sent off during the final 10 minutes as United’s night went from bad to worseCredit: ReutersMaguire came off the bench to salvage a draw with his late headerCredit: GettyAnd he would have told his team to keep composed and avoid doing anything stupid, although they were clearly not listening.Pepe, being played onside by Noussair Mazraoui, comfortably outpaced the sluggish Martinez and the cross was met with a fierce finish from Omorodion.Although once more, De Ligt should have done much betterOnana stopped a total humiliation by making good saves to deny Omorodion and Fabio Veira.Fernandes then received a second yellow for sticking out a boot on Nehuen Perez. There was little contact but it was still an idiotic challenge.READ MORE SUN STORIESHated in these parts as an ex-Sporting Lisbon player, the home fans loved the sight of trooping off.Maguire got his head to Eriksen’s injury-time corner but Ten Hag’s exit still seems inevitable. He seems incapable of turning this mess around. More