Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce exemplifies the tactical and strategic dilemmas Ten Hag faces. As Scholes pointed out, playing players in their strongest roles is fundamental to achieving positive results
With the Europa League progressing and the Premier League season in full swing, United must establish a stable core of key players and develop a consistent game plan to maximize their chances of success.
Ten Hag’s willingness to make bold decisions is commendable, but the time has come to balance innovation with pragmatism if United is to reach their potential under his leadership.
Manchester United’s recent Europa League clash with Fenerbahce ended in a 1-1 draw, raising questions and sparking debates over manager Erik ten Hag’s tactical decisions.
Particularly, Paul Scholes, a former United midfielder and pundit, expressed his concerns regarding Ten Hag’s unusual decision to deploy full-back Noussair Mazraoui as an attacking midfielder in the absence of Bruno Fernandes. With United’s inconsistent performances this season, these decisions are under increased scrutiny.
After securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford in the Premier League, Ten Hag made four changes to his starting XI against Fenerbahce.
Victor Lindelof replaced Jonny Evans, who was sidelined with a knock, while Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee came in for Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund. Ten Hag’s alterations were intended to address both tactical and injury concerns, but his choice to play Mazraoui in the No. 10 role stood out.
Without Bruno Fernandes, who was suspended due to a red card received in an earlier fixture against Porto, Ten Hag’s decision to use Mazraoui in an advanced midfield role rather than a traditional option raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
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Paul Scholes’ Verdict: Questioning Mazraoui as a No.10
Scholes’ reaction to the tactical choice was strong and uncompromising.1
He questioned the decision both before and after the match, expressing his doubts about Mazraoui’s ability to adapt to the No. 10 role typically reserved for more attack-minded players.
“I didn’t see it working before the game, I didn’t see it working during the game, and I don’t see it working after the game,” Scholes commented, emphasizing that this setup hindered Manchester United’s creativity and fluidity in attack.
Scholes’ remarks highlight a growing sentiment among fans and analysts that Ten Hag’s tactical experiments may be costing the team valuable points in crucial fixtures.
A Deeper Dive: Why Mazraoui as a No. 10?
Ten Hag’s decision to play Mazraoui in an attacking position is rooted in the manager’s tendency to experiment with versatile players, especially when first-choice options are unavailable.
Mazraoui, known for his defensive attributes and composure, is traditionally deployed as a full-back. By positioning him as a No. 10, Ten Hag seemed to aim for a more defensively solid setup, potentially minimizing counter-attacking threats from Fenerbahce.
However, Mazraoui’s unfamiliarity with the advanced playmaker role became evident throughout the game, as United struggled to maintain pressure and create chances in the final third.
Casemiro and Hojlund on the Bench: Was It the Right Call?
While Mazraoui’s advanced role sparked immediate reactions, Scholes also voiced his frustration over the decision to leave Casemiro and Hojlund on the bench.
Both players, Scholes argued, could have added depth and experience to United’s formation from the start. “Play Casemiro, play Eriksen further forward, play Hojlund!” Scholes insisted. As seasoned professionals, Casemiro and Hojlund bring physicality and creative options that United lacked early in the match.
Ten Hag eventually brought them on after Fenerbahce’s equalizing goal, but the delay may have contributed to United’s inability to regain their lead.
Paul Scholes: Analyzing the Key Moments
The match started positively for Manchester United, with Christian Eriksen opening the scoring in the 15th minute.2
Eriksen’s ability to find space and capitalize on a well-worked team play underscored his value in a more advanced role. However, United’s lead was short-lived.
Early in the second half, Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri capitalized on a lapse in United’s defensive structure, scoring a crucial header that leveled the match at 1-1 in the 49th minute.
This goal highlighted weaknesses in United’s backline and the importance of having a balanced midfield capable of providing support on both ends of the pitch.
Scholes on Winning Mentality: “Play Your Best Players”
Scholes, who has often stressed the importance of a winning mentality, voiced his concern that Ten Hag is not consistently fielding his strongest lineup. “He’s in a period where he needs to win games.
Play your best players!” Scholes’ comments resonate with fans who have seen United struggle to find consistency this season.
With crucial points on the line in both domestic and European competitions, Scholes’ perspective suggests that Ten Hag may need to focus on his best available lineup rather than untested formations or player placements.
Evaluating the Outcome: United’s Missed Opportunity
The 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce is more than just a point dropped; it’s a reflection of United’s tactical challenges and decision-making under Ten Hag.
As Scholes highlighted, the deployment of Mazraoui in an advanced position failed to provide United with the expected offensive edge.
With players like Hojlund, Casemiro, and Eriksen on the roster, Ten Hag has ample resources to create a more dynamic and balanced team, yet the results show otherwise.
The Fenerbahce draw serves as a reminder of the potential costs of these decisions as United battles to progress in the Europa League.
Paul Scholes: Ten Hag’s Tactical Evolution at Manchester United
Ten Hag’s journey with United has been one of experimentation and adaptation. While this tactical flexibility is commendable, it has also led to inconsistent performances.3
The Mazraoui-as-No.10 experiment may have been an attempt to surprise Fenerbahce or to adjust to Bruno Fernandes’ absence, but it ultimately left United with a blunt attack.
As Ten Hag continues to develop his vision for the team, balancing flexibility with effectiveness will be essential if he hopes to maintain United’s competitive standing.
Manchester United’s squad boasts a blend of experienced and young players with various skill sets, yet this depth has sometimes appeared more of a burden than a benefit.
The frequent lineup changes and repositioning of players like Mazraoui reflect an ongoing struggle to define clear roles within the team. Scholes’ criticism highlights that, while depth is essential, having too many options can lead to confusion and inconsistency, especially when key players are relegated to the bench.
Next Steps: Learning from the Fenerbahce Draw
If United hopes to secure a strong position in the Europa League, Ten Hag will need to re-evaluate his tactical decisions and team selection.
Scholes’ advice to play established players in their strongest roles could serve as a useful starting point. With upcoming fixtures against tougher opponents, finding a core lineup that delivers consistency and results should be a priority.
As a former United legend and respected pundit, Paul Scholes’ critique carries weight. His comments echo the frustration of fans and underscore the high expectations for Ten Hag as United’s manager.
The growing pressure from club supporters and alumni alike emphasizes the need for Ten Hag to deliver results quickly.
For a club with Manchester United’s stature, anything less than strong performances in domestic and European competitions is seen as a failure.
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Paul Scholes: Disappointment in the Premier League
Falling Behind Rivals
Scholes’ critique centers on United’s performance in the Premier League, where they currently sit at 12th place.
This underwhelming position highlights the team’s struggle to keep up with rivals like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, teams that are in constant contention for the title.
Scholes expected more progress from Ten Hag’s squad by this point, stating that “league position tells you everything.”
The Red Devils’ inconsistency is evident in their failure to capitalize on opportunities, leaving them in a precarious position just a few months into the season. For a club of United’s stature and history, the absence of title contention is glaring, and the contrast with other Premier League teams is increasingly evident.
Teams like Liverpool and Arsenal, who were once neck-and-neck with United in terms of success, have made significant strides, whereas United have struggled to establish a clear identity and purpose under Ten Hag.
Stagnation in European Competitions: A Tough Europa League Campaign
- In addition to their domestic woes, Manchester United has experienced a rocky start in Europe as well.
- Ranked 21st in the Europa League standings, the team’s lack of dominance in a tournament they were expected to perform well in has raised concerns.
- The draw against Fenerbahce, a team they were heavily favored to beat, exemplifies their current struggles in Europe.
- This underperformance has left fans and analysts alike questioning the Red Devils‘ capability to compete on multiple fronts.
- The Europa League is not new territory for United; they have previously reached the latter stages of this tournament and even won it in recent years.
- However, their current form suggests a regression, as Scholes pointed out, with “no improvement” in their ability to control and win games.
- This stagnation in both the Premier League and European competition has become a point of frustration, especially for Scholes, who has been vocal about United’s need to deliver results on the international stage.
Paul Scholes: Concerns on Squad Depth and Player Utilization
Part of Scholes’ critique addresses United’s lack of cohesion and effectiveness, even after a sizable investment in new players.
Significant funds have been spent on strengthening the squad, with players brought in to reinforce both defense and attack.
However, many of these players have struggled to find consistency, leading to Scholes’ pointed remark that the “money has been spent and we’re not seeing improvement.”
The issue may stem from a lack of depth and proper utilization of the squad. Ten Hag has yet to solidify a core lineup that can deliver consistently, leaving fans wondering about the tactical approach.
Injuries and underwhelming performances from key players have hindered United’s ability to build momentum, and Scholes’ comments reflect a wider concern that the team’s management may not be making the best use of its resources.
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Missed Opportunities and the Pressure to Perform
One of the more telling aspects of United’s struggles is their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, a factor that has been costly in both domestic and European matches.
According to Scholes, United “missed a lot of chances” this season, an issue that has plagued them for several games. Finishing opportunities has been a recurring problem for the team, with matches often ending in narrow losses or disappointing draws.
For a team that boasts some of the most talented attackers in the league, this lack of clinical finishing is worrying. Strikers and midfielders alike have failed to consistently convert chances, and this inefficiency has been a major contributor to United’s low position on the table.
The inability to finish games strongly has left Ten Hag under intense pressure, with fans eager for a turnaround before the season slips further away.
The Shadow of Manchester City’s Success
A significant source of frustration for Manchester United fans is the contrast with cross-town rivals Manchester City. Under Pep Guardiola, City has established itself as the dominant force in English football, winning multiple titles and setting high standards.
Scholes and other United faithful expected the Red Devils to challenge City more closely under Ten Hag, especially given his tactical prowess and resources at hand. However, the gap between the two teams seems wider than ever.
This widening gap is highlighted by City’s consistent achievements in domestic leagues and European tournaments.
United’s inability to challenge their neighbors for top honors has only intensified the disappointment, especially given the expectation that Ten Hag would bring United back to the forefront of English football.
Scholes’ comments reflect a sense of impatience and frustration, as fans yearn for United to rise to City’s level and re-establish themselves as a powerhouse.
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