Manchester United captain Harry Maguire supported manager Erik ten Hag's decision to substitute Marcus Rashford during the second half of Saturday evening's 3-1 FA Cup fourth round win over Reading at Old Trafford.
Rashford was taken off and replaced by Alejandro Garnacho with 68 minutes on the clock, despite him still being in with a chance of becoming the first United player in history to score in ten consecutive fixtures at Old Trafford. The England international, who has been sensational in recent weeks, thought he had set the record in the first half, heading in from close range, but was denied by VAR for an offside in the build-up.
The academy graduate, who scored the winner against Manchester City on his last Old Trafford outing, has scored 18 times in all competitions this season, highlighting the impact Ten Hag has had on him. He has been unplayable at times and will undoubtedly play a key role between now and the end of the campaign, as United go in search of both the top-four and a trophy.
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And with that in mind, Maguire, who earned just his ninth start of the season against Reading, it was a wise decision from Ten Hag to withdraw him when he did.
"It was obviously disappointing for him," Maguire told MUTV. "I think he would have been really wanting that record and then the manager subbed him off and I'm sure he wasn't happy with that either.
"But listen, there are bigger things to win. Although records are nice, it's a team sport and we need Marcus. Our team needs Marcus fit and ready for these big games coming up, so it was probably a wise decision from the manager."
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