After the full-time whistle on Thursday night, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explained his decision to start full-back Noussair Mazraoui as a No 10 in their Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.
It was one of the more controversial team selections of Ten Hag’s tenure to date. Mazraoui, a natural full-back, was picked to start behind Joshua Zirkzee in an unfamiliar attacking role.
Mazraoui, who joined United from Bayern Munich in the summer for a reported £12.8 million, has played 44 games in central midfield during his career.
But the decision to start him in the No 10 role was met with confusion more than anything, especially considering Amad Diallo’s presence in the squad.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, Ten Hag explained his decision. “We have some injuries and a suspension with Bruno, so we had to be creative,” he said. “Also, we had some players who have a short turnaround to West Ham, so we’ve made some changes there and a different set-up, but not so much different because we want to keep consistency.”
Ten Hag added: “Eriksen there, Mainoo as the No.6 and we bring Mazraoui into the No.10 position. I know him from before, sometimes played him there for Ajax, also playing him as a full-back, and also in our system he’s playing in the half spaces, so he’s capable of doing this job. He can do good pressing.
“We can see during the game what is needed, so we maybe go with him in another position and maybe if needed, he can play a more offensive position and it’s also possible to bring Casemiro in.”
United would continue their winless start in this season’s Europa League with a 1-1 draw against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, after Youssef En-Nesyri cancelled out Christian Eriksen early opener.
One of the main talking points in the aftermath of Thursday’s final whistle was the decision to start Mazraoui, who was eventually moved to left-back in the second-half.
Ten Hag mentioned the so-called “hectic ambience” of an away game in Turkey as part of his reasoning.
“Away from home in Europe, hectic ambience, to start with four attackers is too much,” he said. “I know Nous is very capable to play in that position. He was helping midfield with defending, supporting Zirkzee in pressing, big part of goal for Eriksen. You can always move him back.”
Image credit: Getty
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