Erik ten Hag comes clean on Man Utd meltdown vs Porto and hooking Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag has defended Manchester United's performance against Porto (Image: Getty)

Erik ten Hag has described the ‘middle part’ of Manchester United’s dramatic Europa League draw with Porto as ‘not good’, admitting his side need to better at controlling matches. Harry Maguire's stoppage-time header is likely to have saved Ten Hag the time to turn around his side's poor start to the season.

United appeared to be sailing to a comfortable victory in Portugal when they led 2-0 after 20 minutes. However, the Red Devils capitulated and found themselves 3-2 behind in the second half.

Maguire, introduced as a makeshift centre-forward, powered home Christian Eriksen's corner as the clocked ticked beyond 90 minutes. Ten Hag lamented his players losing control in the middle part of the match.

“We started the game very good, dominated. We scored two goals but then lost control,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports.

“The start was good, the middle part was not good, and then the end was very good. We come back after 3-2. The team is willing, [it has] strong character. The middle part was not good.

“We need to be better on the ball and keep switching. In the half-spaces we had players, so use them.

“We had three clean sheets not long ago so we can defend very good but we have to go back to those habits. Only then can you win games.”

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Erik ten Hag comes clean on Man Utd meltdown vs Porto and hooking Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag comes clean on Man Utd meltdown vs Porto and hooking Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag comes clean on Man Utd meltdown vs Porto and hooking Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag comes clean on Man Utd meltdown vs Porto and hooking Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag comes clean on Man Utd meltdown vs Porto and hooking Marcus Rashford