Erik ten Hag has explained his surprise move to start full-back Noussair Mazraoui at number 10 in Man United’s Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.
The Moroccan arrived from Bayern Munich in the summer to reunite with his former coach after having been together at Ajax.
He has been playing primarily on the left side of defense in the early months of the season, but ten Hag has moved him behind the striker for Thursday’s trip to Istanbul.
The Dutchman explained his decision ahead of the key match in Europe.
He said: “We put Mazraoui in tenth position.” I know him from before at Ajax, I sometimes played against him there. Also, as a full-back, he often plays in intermediate spaces in our system, so he is capable of doing this job.
Erik ten Hag has explained his surprise move to start full-back Noussair Mazraoui as number 10
The Moroccan arrived from Bayern Munich in the summer to reunite with his former coach after having been together at Ajax.
“He is also a full-back who sometimes plays in the intermediate spaces and is capable of playing there. He can press well and then we can see during the game what is needed.
“We can go with him maybe in other positions and maybe if necessary in a more offensive position, with a more offensive player in that position and it is also possible to bring a more defensive midfield to bring in Casemiro.”
Club legend Paul Scholes was not convinced by the fickle move.
“I’m confused by that,” he said. ‘I even think your explanation was confusing. I hope Mazraoui understands better than me what he has to do, because that is difficult for me to understand.
‘Sometimes from the right side, sometimes from the front, he can receive on the half turn. It looks like he wants a presser foot, I’m pretty sure he can do it. “I don’t see him as number 10.”
Meanwhile, Owen Hargreaves added: “I think it’s a big surprise. Any United fan will look at that and think, ‘Is Mazraoui a No. 10?’ Maybe they’ll see something they know about Mazraoui from Ajax.
“He has experience playing in the center of the field. We haven’t seen that. We saw him at Ajax playing on the wing, left or right. That was probably the most natural.
He must have something up his sleeve. We can’t see it because we’re not there. “I hope everything goes well, but I think it’s a big shock for everyone.”