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Erik Ten Hag has explained why he played Noussair Mazraoui as a number 10 for Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike after his unexpected decision to deploy Noussair Mazraoui, a right-back by trade, in attacking midfield during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
The Moroccan, who joined United from Bayern Munich in the summer, has primarily played as a defender this season, making the move to a more advanced position a surprising tactical shift.
Ten Hag provided insight into his unconventional decision. "I know Mazraoui well from our time at Ajax," he explained. "He’s capable of playing in different roles. In our system, he often occupies half spaces as a full-back, so I felt confident moving him to the No. 10 position."
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Ten Hag emphasized that Mazraoui’s versatility was key to his selection. "He has the technical ability to receive the ball in tight spaces and can contribute to pressing effectively," Ten Hag added. "This gives us the flexibility to adapt during the game based on how Fenerbahce plays."
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Despite the manager’s rationale, the move left many, including club legend Paul Scholes, bewildered. Scholes commented on the perplexing decision, stating, "I'm confused by it. His explanation didn't clarify things for me. I hope Mazraoui understands his role better than I do because it seemed difficult to grasp."
Fellow pundit Owen Hargreaves echoed Scholes' sentiments, stating, "It’s a massive surprise. Fans will be asking, 'Mazraoui as a No. 10?' It’s certainly unconventional. He has experience playing in midfield, but we've mainly seen him at full-back."
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Fans will be asking, 'Mazraoui as a No. 10?' It’s certainly unconventional. He has experience playing in midfield, but we've mainly seen him at full-back."
Ten Hag's tactical experiment comes at a challenging time for United, currently languishing in 12th place in the Premier League.
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With the team struggling for form, the manager is keen to explore different strategies to invigorate his squad.
"Sometimes, you have to think outside the box," Ten Hag asserted. "In football, flexibility and adaptability are crucial, and I believe Mazraoui can provide that spark."
Manchester United fans will be hoping Erik Ten Hag plays his players at their rightful positions for his tactical change during the Europa League did no work so well. The Premier League is way different and they might get punished dearly.
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