The 26-year-old broke the deadlock at the Estadio do Dragao in the seventh minute, when he slalomed into the box before firing low into the near post.
He looked to be a constant threat down the left wing in Thursday night’s Europa League clash, which saw the two clubs play out a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Rasmus Hojlund doubled United’s lead in the 20th minute, only for Porto to score two quickfire goals to level up the match going into the second half.
But to the confusion of fans and pundits, Rashford failed to re-emerge, with the England international being replaced by Alejandro Garnacho.
Speaking in his post-match interview, Ten Hag confirmed the forward wasn’t injured as he explained why Rashford was taken off.
He told TNT Sports: “We had to rotate. Garnacho, we didn’t start him, he had a great game not only on Sunday but the whole season.
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“On Sunday we have another hard game, a good game, so we need players to be available, fit and fresh.
“We have a quick turnaround to [Aston] Villa. They have a day longer, we have an away game so we want fresh players on the pitch on Sunday.”
In his press conference, he added: “Yeah, but Garnacho was my best player on Sunday [3-0 defeat to Tottenham] 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.”
Ten Hag’s reasoning shocked the CBS Sports panel, with 17-cap USA international Charlie Davies left open-mouthed, before launching into a furious rant.
He said: “Are you kidding me? A 26-year-old Marcus Rashford, who is finally looking like the player they need him to be.
“Aggressive, cut-throat, efficient, and you sub him off at half[time] because you’re thinking about the game on the weekend, and not the game at hand?...Read Full Article [Click Here>]
“As if you’re job is not on the line that you need to send a message to the team to win at Porto?
“You were 2-0 up, they came back and you don’t want to win the game? You’re going to take him off?
“Your most impactful player? Get him out, he doesn’t know what he’s doing!”
He later added: “I’m sorry, but if you’re a Manchester United supporter, you’ve got to get rid of this guy, because he can’t coach.
“There is no consistency with his coaching, there is no method to his madness.
“How are you going to sub off your most impactful player who needs to get going, whose confident has been shoddy, who finally looks like after the last couple of weeks is coming to life, and you take him off?
“How is he supposed to get into a rhythm?”
It was a view shared by talkSPORT pundit and ex-Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant, who believes Ten Hag is hindering Rashford’s progress by taking him off – especially in a game he was performing well in.
He stated: “He looked sharp, his confidence, that’s what he needs, playing when his confidence is high, playing when he’s scoring because we know he can go on a run.
“But then he takes him out, that’s going to hinder that confidence, if you get subbed at half-time, that puts you down.
“If you’re scoring and then the next game you’re not starting, that’s just taking you back again.”
