Manchester United’s 1-1 Europa League draw against Fenerbahce on Thursday night has reignited concerns over Erik ten Hag’s tactical choices, particularly the Dutchman’s decision to play right-back Noussair Mazraoui in the No.10 role. With Bruno Fernandes unavailable due to suspension, fans and pundits alike were left scratching their heads as ten Hag chose to overlook the more natural attacking options at his disposal, including Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo.
The experiment with Mazraoui in the attacking midfield position was far from successful. The Moroccan, typically deployed as a right-back, struggled to make an impact in a role that requires creativity, vision, and playmaking abilities—attributes more commonly associated with Eriksen and Diallo. By halftime, it became clear that ten Hag’s tactical gamble hadn’t paid off, and Mazraoui was substituted for midfielder Casemiro early in the second half.
A Tactical Experiment That Puzzled Fans
Erik ten Hag’s decision to field Mazraoui in the No.10 role was met with widespread confusion. United fans had expected either Christian Eriksen, known for his passing range and experience in attacking midfield, or Amad Diallo, a dynamic and creative forward, to start in Bruno Fernandes’ absence. Instead, ten Hag’s choice to utilize Mazraoui in an advanced position baffled both fans and analysts.
Mazraoui, though a versatile player, has rarely been used in such an attacking role throughout his career. His only previous experience in the No.10 position came during a brief substitute appearance for Ajax in a 2019 Champions League match against Juventus, where he spent just nine minutes in the role. This lack of familiarity with the position was evident against Fenerbahce, as he struggled to link up with United’s forwards and failed to create any meaningful chances during the first half.
Ten Hag’s tactical experiment lasted less than an hour, as Mazraoui was replaced by Casemiro early in the second half. While Casemiro’s introduction helped stabilize the midfield, United’s attack remained disjointed for much of the game, ultimately resulting in a frustrating draw.
The Continued Underuse of Amad Diallo
Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of ten Hag’s decision-making was the continued underutilization of Amad Diallo. The Ivorian winger, who had a standout loan spell at Sunderland last season, has been used sparingly since returning to Manchester United. Fans were hopeful that Diallo would have a larger role this season, especially given his ability to play in a variety of attacking positions, including the No.10 role.
During his time at Sunderland, Diallo excelled as an attacking midfielder, contributing four goals in 1,069 minutes played in that position. His technical ability, quick decision-making, and eye for goal made him a fan favorite during his loan spell, and many expected him to be a key part of United’s attack upon his return.
However, ten Hag has been reluctant to give Diallo significant minutes this season, despite the 22-year-old’s impressive statistics. Diallo has created more chances (12) than any other United player in the Premier League this season, despite featuring in just 54 percent of the available minutes. His creativity, ability to unlock defenses, and attacking flair are precisely what United have often lacked in recent matches, making his absence from the starting lineup even more baffling.
Diallo was eventually introduced in the 89th minute against Fenerbahce, but by that point, it was too late for him to make any meaningful impact on the game. This late substitution left many fans frustrated, as they believed Diallo could have provided the spark needed to unlock Fenerbahce’s defense earlier in the match.
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Fans’ Growing Frustration with Ten Hag’s Choices
Manchester United fans have been vocal about their frustrations with ten Hag’s handling of Amad Diallo, particularly given the team’s attacking struggles in recent weeks. On social media, many supporters expressed their bewilderment at seeing Mazraoui deployed in a creative role while Diallo sat on the bench for the majority of the game.
“Why not start Amad? He’s been our most creative player, and we need goals,” one fan tweeted during the match. “This decision makes no sense.”
Another fan added, “Ten Hag needs to explain why he keeps ignoring Amad. We’ve seen what he can do. He’s being wasted on the bench.”
These sentiments are shared by a growing portion of the fanbase, who believe that Diallo deserves more playing time, especially given his form and ability to create chances. With United’s attack often looking flat in recent matches, many feel that Diallo could be the key to unlocking more consistent goal-scoring opportunities.
Erik ten Hag Defends His Tactical Approach
After the match, ten Hag defended his decision to start Mazraoui in the No.10 role, explaining that it was a tactical choice based on the team’s overall setup and the challenge of playing away in Europe.
“Away from Europe to start with four attackers is too much,” ten Hag said when asked why Diallo didn’t start. “I made him [Mazraoui] a full-back. He was always a number 10. I knew he could fill in with that role, he had a big role in the goal.”
Ten Hag’s comments suggest that he saw Mazraoui as a temporary solution to Bruno Fernandes’ absence, but the decision has nonetheless raised questions about the manager’s tactical approach. Fans remain unconvinced by ten Hag’s explanation, particularly given the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal.
Moving Forward: Will Diallo Get More Opportunities?
As Manchester United look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, the question remains: will Amad Diallo finally be given the opportunities he deserves? With United competing on multiple fronts this season, including the Premier League, Europa League, and domestic cups, ten Hag will need to rely on his squad depth to navigate the congested fixture schedule.
If Diallo continues to be overlooked, it’s likely that fan frustration will only grow. The young Ivorian has proven his ability to make a difference in the attacking third, and his chance creation statistics speak for themselves. For United to improve their goal-scoring output, they may need to lean on players like Diallo who can inject creativity and flair into the attack.
In the meantime, ten Hag will need to reflect on his tactical choices and find ways to maximize the talent at his disposal. As United push for success in both domestic and European competitions, the manager’s decisions regarding player selection and tactics will be under intense scrutiny.
