Erik ten Hag raised eyebrows on Thursday evening when he named his Manchester United lineup to face Fenerbahce.
The Red Devils are looking to pick up their first win in the Europa League this season but face a difficult task away to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side.
Erik ten Hag had no option but to mix things up with his squad selection due to injuries and a suspension to captain Bruno Fernandes.
Jonny Evans missed training on Wednesday and joined a list of absentees that includes Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount.
Ten Hag ended up making four changes to his side against Fenerbahce and caught everyone by surprise with a role change for Noussair Mazraoui.
Noussair Mazraoui starts in No.10 position for Manchester United
After the 2-1 comeback win against Brentford on Saturday afternoon, Ten Hag made four changes to his side for the trip to Turkey.
Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Victor Lindelof and Mazraoui all came into the side, and the latter was handed a new role for the first time this season.
Mazraoui joined for £13m from Bayern Munich and has immediately become a regular starter this season at right-back.
There has been little competition for the right-back spot with Diogo Dalot filling in on the left in the absence of Shaw and Malacia.
But against Fenerbahce, Ten Hag rolled the dice and decided to start Mazraoui in the No.10 position as a short-term replacement for the suspended Fernandes.
Erik ten Hag explains Noussair Mazraoui role change
With Fernandes suspended for the Fenerbahce clash, there has been a lot of speculation as to who will replace the Portuguese star in his attacking midfield spot.
We listed six potential replacements for Fernandes when he was last suspended but – unsurprisingly – Mazraoui didn’t feature on the list.
Speaking ahead of kick-off on Thursday, Ten Hag explained the thinking behind his decision.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Ten Hag said: “There is a short turnaround to West Ham so we have made some changes.”
“A different setup, but not so different because we want to keep consistent with Eriksen there and Manu [Ugarte] as the number six. We have brought in Mazraoui in the 10 position.
“I know him from before at Ajax he has played there, also as a full-back in our system he is playing in half spaces so he is capable of doing that job.
“He is capable of coming there. He can do good pressign and we can then see during hte game what is needed.”
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