On Thursday evening, Manchester United‘s quest for the season’s first win in the Europa League continued when they visited Fenerbahce.
Before the game, it was clear that Man United had to do without Bruno Fernandes, who was suspended after his red card against Porto in the last round. Erik ten Hag then chose to make an unexpected choice to fill the Portuguese’s shoes.
Noussair Mazraoui came in as an attacking midfielder, who usually plays as an outside back.
– Mazraoui plays as “tia”. I know him from before from Ajax, where I played him in that position. As a full-back, he also usually moves in the inner corridors, so he can play there, reasoned ten Hag before the match, according to ManchesterWorld.
However, not everyone bought the Dutchman’s reasoning. One who reacted was Manchester United icon Paul Scholes:
– I get confused by that choice. I hope that Mazraoui himself understands what he has to do better than I do. I found it difficult to understand (ten Hag’s explanation). I don’t see him as a “Tia”, Eriksen is perfect for that, he said in TNT’s broadcast before the match.
Manchester United have started Europa League play by drawing against both Twente and Porto.
