Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag causes anger with eye-catching starting XI decision for Fenerbahce match
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Manchester United fans were left confused and angry over Erik ten Hag's latest starting line-up with full-back Noussair Mazraoui deployed as a No 10 against Fenerbahce on Thursday evening.
The Red Devils have stuttered in the Europa League through their opening two games with just two points picked up.
They've not fared much better in domestic football either with United suffering their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
A narrow 2-1 win over Brentford stopped a five-game winless run at the weekend with Ten Hag under pressure to go on a run of victories.
Erik ten Hag chose to play Noussair Mazraoui as a No 10
PA
An away trip to Fenerbahce in the Europa League was always going to be a tricky tie on paper against Jose Mourinho.
They're without captain Bruno Fernandes, who was sent off against Porto earlier this month.
Christian Eriksen or Amad were seen as possible replacements for Fernandes in the No 10 role while Ten Hag could have also changed the system to go with two central strikers.
However, the Dutchman opted to surprisingly pick Mazraoui as the man to play in the central attacking midfield role.
Paul Scholes couldn't understand why Ten Hag chose to go with the full-back over someone like Eriksen.
"I’m confused by it. I even think his explanation of it was confusing... I think Eriksen is perfect for that," he said.
"I hope Mazraoui understands better what he has to do than I do. I found it difficult to understand (Ten Hag's explanation). I don’t see him as a number 10."
And United fans were equally perplexed and annoyed at Ten Hag for taking a risk with his starting line-up.
"At Ajax I played him there..."
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Erik ten Hag explains why he's starting Noussair Mazraoui at no.10 🗣️
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One supporter fumed: "Mazraoui at CAM pisses me off to another level when we have Eriksen, Amad and Zirkzee all that play there. Especially when Amad hasn't been given many minute and Eriksen is a natural CAM."
Another asked: "Mazraoui as our 10? Wtf is this Ten Hag doing??"
A third moaned: "What the f*** sort of lineup is this?! Why is Mazraoui playing as a CAM??? Why is Ten Hag incapable of playing 2 strikers when both Hojlund and Zirkzee are fit?!"
One other sarcastically wrote: "£600m spent and Erik ten Hag is starting a right back as a number 10."
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Noussair Mazraoui occasionally played in the role for Ajax
PA
Another said: "Mazraoui playing in the 10? Not convinced that’s the right call. Mourinho will be all over that."
Ten Hag attempted to defend his decision, explaining Mazraoui isn't a stranger to the position.
"We bring Nous Mazraoui in the 10 position, I know from Ajax that sometimes I played him there," he said.
"As a full-back in our system he's playing in the half spaces, so he is capable of doing this job. He can bring good pressing."
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