Erik ten Hag explains why Noussair Mazraoui started as a number 10 against Fenerbahce

Manchester United fans were left perplexed by Erik ten Hag’s decision to start Noussair Mazraoui as a replacement for suspended captain Bruno Fernandes against Fenerbahce.

Fernandes was serving a one-game ban due to his red card on matchday two against Porto, with a lack of other midfield options due to Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Toby Collyer injuries leading Ten Hag to get creative with his selection.

Mazraoui is natural right-back. But Ten Hag chose to push start Diogo Dalot back over to that side, drafting in Victor Lindelof in the middle alongside Matthijs de Ligt and utilising stand-in skipper Lisandro Martinez at left-back.

With Manuel Ugarte and Christian Eriksen taking the central midfield roles, Casemiro on the bench, and Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho flanking lone striker Joshua Zirkzee, it surprisingly left Mazraoui to slot in as United’s ‘number 10’.

“I know him from before,” Ten Hag reasoned when quizzed by TNT Sports before kick-off.

“At Ajax, sometimes, I played him there. Also, as a full-back in our system, he’s playing in the half spaces, so he’s capable of doing this job.”

Further pushed on whether that meant Mazraoui being the most advanced midfield player, Ten Hag clarified that would indeed be the case, but also spoke about the flexibility of different options.

“Even as a full-back, he’s capable of coming there. He can do good pressing,” the Dutchman explained. “Then we can see during the game what is needed and we can go with him, maybe in another position, and if needed keeping playing more offensive, or a more offensive player in that position. And it’s also possible for a more defensive midfield by bringing Casemiro on.”