Erik ten Hag has insisted Marcus Rashford's half-time withdrawal during Manchester United's draw with Porto was down to a need for rotation, not a statement on his performance.
United are still searching for their first Europa League win of the campaign, after Harry Maguire's late header salvaged a 3-3 draw in Porto on Thursday.
After the Red Devils went 2-0 up through early goals from Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, a strike from Pepe and a brace from Samu Omorodion had put them on the brink of another humiliating defeat.
To cap United's frustrations, captain Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card for a second successive game after also being dismissed in Sunday's 3-0 loss to Tottenham, having never previously been sent off in any of his first 241 games for United.
It was the decision to substitute Rashford for Alejandro Garnacho, though, that dominated post-match talk, with no United player matching Rashford's eight touches in the Porto box or three successful dribbles all game, despite his early withdrawal.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Ten Hag said: "We have to rotate. Garnacho, we didn't start him, but he had a great game not only Sunday but the whole season.
"We go quickly with a turnaround to Villa and they have had a day longer to recover and we have an away game."
Rashford now has 14 goals in the Europa League, moving him outright fourth in the all-time UEFA Cup/Europa League charts among English players, behind only Martin Chivers (22), Alan Shearer (21) and Jermain Defoe (19).
Asked about the substitution again in his post-match press conference, Ten Hag added: "Yeah, but Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games.
"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 have to play as well and we have two very good players over that side."
Pushed on whether the decision had anything to do with Rashford's role in Porto's first goal, which came down the England man's flank, Ten Hag said: "I have to watch it back and I think over the left side definitely we didn't defend well tonight.
"Marcus also played a part in this but, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy."
Friends For Real triumph in 2024 Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition
Friends For Real emerged as champions of the 2024 Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition, defeating Medley Mixers 1-0 in a thrilling final at the Red Stripe Field on Sunday. The victory was sealed by Emeil Atkinson, whose decisive goal crowned the Olympic Gardens-based team champions in their first appearance at the tournament.
The competition, organized by track and field legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation, saw spirited performances from all participants. Medley Mixers had secured their spot in the final with a commanding 3-0 win over Legacy, while Friends For Real edged out Legend 1-0 in a hard-fought semifinal clash.
In the final, both teams battled intensely, but Atkinson’s clinical strike proved to be the difference, handing Friends For Real the championship trophy and a cash prize of JMD$300,000. Captain Wyan Nelson expressed his team’s joy and gratitude following their triumphant debut.
“Words can’t describe how we feel as a team. It is our first time entering the competition, and to be unbeaten is a great feeling,” Nelson said. “Shelly-Ann is doing a great thing, and we look forward to entering next year again.”
Medley Mixers, who gave a valiant effort in the final, received JMD$200,000 for their second-place finish, while Legend claimed third place with a 2-1 victory over Legacy in the playoff. Pelleco Shaw and Devontay Ricketts scored for Legend, who were awarded JMD$100,000 for their efforts.
The tournament showcased not just the competitive spirit of the participating teams but also the community-building impact of the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The event continues to provide a platform for local talent and an opportunity for camaraderie among communities, all while supporting the charitable mission of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
With this victory, Friends For Real have set a high bar for next year’s competition, promising more excitement in what has become a highly anticipated annual event.
Napoli 0-1 Lazio: Isaksen the hero as Partenopei miss chance to return to Serie A summit
Napoli missed the chance to return to the Serie A summit following a 1-0 defeat by Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Partenopei were beaten for the second time in the space of four days by the Biancoceleste, who also prevailed 3-1 in their Coppa Italia last-16 clash at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
Marco Baroni's side were victorious once again as Gustav Isaksen struck a wonderful winner 11 minutes from time, moving them level on points with third-place Inter.
Scott McTominay and Isaksen went closed during the first half, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot narrowly wide just before the break.
Both sides struck the woodwork after the restart; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru hitting the crossbar from distance, while Frank Anguissa's header was denied by the post.
However, the visitors snatched all three points in the 79th minute. Tijjani Noslin - Thursday's hat-trick hero - found Isaksen, who rounded off a swift counter by curling a wonderful 20-yard effort beyond Alex Meret.
Data Debrief: Three is the magic number for Lazio
For the first time in their history, Lazio have won three consecutive Serie A matches away at Napoli.
Their sixth victory by a single-goal margin this term - more than any other team in the division - they have also scored a league-high 12 goals in the 75th minute or later.
Isaksen was the matchwinner with his third goal of the season, already matching his tally for the entire 2023-24 campaign.
Bompastor lauds 'brave' Chelsea in record-equalling Brighton win
Sonia Bompastor said she was displeased at the mistakes her Chelsea side made during their 4-2 win over Brighton in the Women's Super League on Sunday.
In the Blues' penultimate league fixture this year, they signed off at Kingsmeadow with a victory in an enthralling encounter with the Seagulls.
A brace from Sjoeke Nusken with further goals from Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd earned Chelsea all three points, with Jelena Cankovic and Kiko Seike on target for the visitors.
And Chelsea were worthy of their triumph, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 4.08 from their 31 shots compared to Brighton's 2.19 from their 18 efforts.
The Blues' win also saw them equal Arsenal's record from the 2018-19 campaign of winning each of their first nine WSL games of the season.
While only in the infancy of her tenure, Bompastor also broke a record set by the legendary Emma Hayes on Sunday.
The Frenchwoman has won 13 games in a row in all competitions, exceeding Hayes’ club record of 12 consecutive wins set during the 2021-22 season.
But, it was a hard-fought victory against a Brighton side who play a similar possession-based style. As a result, both sides gifted their opposition opportunities.
This was not overly concerning for Bompastor, however, saying she was encouraged by her side's resilience to stick to their game model.
"The two teams made some big mistakes today, especially in the build-up and trying to build from the backline and the keeper," Bompastor said.
"That's something that's going to happen when you have two coaches who have a philosophy that they want to build up.
"I prefer my team and my players to be confident enough and brave enough to try again, even if sometimes you can be in that position when you lose some balls.
"Sometimes it's about making a better decision, executing more quickly, scanning better, controlling - so, a lot of small details that are really important at the high level.
"The best teams are the ones who make the least mistakes. You will always have mistakes in the game, and I want my players to be brave enough to try again."
But hot on Chelsea's heels are Manchester City, who also emerged 4-0 victors on Sunday, beating Leicester City thanks to an inspired display from Khadija Shaw.
Shaw netted the Citizens' first two goals of the game in the first half, with Jessica Park and Mary Fowler on target after the break for the hosts.
Shaw raised her overall tally at the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring chart to 88 after 98 matches in all competitions and represented her 13th strike in 14 appearances this term.
And Taylor highlighted Shaw's importance on and off the ball for his side during their win over the Foxes, labelling her a "complete" striker.
"I’d like to say I’ve helped her in that space, but I think that’s all down to Bunny," Taylor said.
"She arrives in the right moment. They were quite different in the sense that the first one she puts back where it comes almost and makes it difficult for the keeper and I think she controlled it well from Kerstin’s cross.
"The one from Leila is a little more where she gets across her defender and attacks it with power. For me, she’s a very complete striker, Bunny.
"I’ve mentioned more recently about what she gives us without her goals. Her goals are the cherry on the cake with so many opportunities to score.
"She backs that up with the numbers. The work she does without the ball is great, and it allows us to dominate."
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