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Marcus Rashford created two goals but was taken off at halftime, sparking injury concerns and his coach has cleared the air.
Following Manchester United's thrilling 3-3 draw with FC Porto, manager Erik ten Hag provided clarity on his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time, despite the forward's impressive performance.
Rashford had opened the scoring and assisted Rasmus Hojlund, helping United secure a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes. However, the decision to replace him with Alejandro Garnacho raised eyebrows.
In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Ten Hag explained that the substitution was a calculated move aimed at managing the squad’s fitness amid a demanding schedule.
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14:26 - 03.10.2024
'They merit it' - Gor Mahia team manager pleased with Harambee Stars call-ups
Gor Mahia have had five players called up to the national team ahead of Kenya's crucial double-header against Cameroon and their team manager feels it is merited.
"We have to rotate," he asserted, emphasizing the importance of keeping players fresh for upcoming fixtures.
With a crucial Premier League match against Aston Villa looming, ten Hag recognized the need for strategic player management.
"We didn’t start Garnacho, and he had a great game not only on Sunday but the whole season," Ten Hag noted.
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08:30 - 03.10.2024
'Onana will feel the heat' - Former Gor Mahia CEO backs Olunga to continue hot scoring streak
Former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda has backed Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga to continue his hot scoring streak against Manchester United shot stopper Andre Onana when Kenya takes on Cameroon in crucial AFCON qualifier.
The manager's commitment to rotation reflects a broader strategy to ensure that key players are available and fit for every match.
He pointed out that with a quick turnaround before the Villa game, and given that the opponents had an extra day to recover, it was vital to have fresh legs on the pitch.
When asked if Rashford could have continued, Ten Hag maintained that the decision was purely tactical.
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10:33 - 03.10.2024
Why former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala may not feature for Harambee Stars soon
Former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has missed national team call-up for crucial AFCON qualifier double-header tie against Cameroon.
"We want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday," he reiterated, reinforcing the idea that squad depth and rotation are essential to navigating a congested fixture list.
Fans will be hoping this moves pays off as their attacking edge was taken away leading to a dragged pursuit of goals in the second half against Porto.
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