Eirk tem Hag is not all right in the head. How can he said that? No coach has ever said that. He is simply not a good coach for this club”-Fans are shocked after Erik ten Hag comes up with new excuse in why he played Noussair Mazraoui as 10 (Bruno Fernandes position) against Fenerbahce.

After Thursday night’s 1-1 draw, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag addressed his decision to deploy full-back Noussair Mazraoui as a No. 10 in their Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.

The choice to start Mazraoui—a natural full-back—in an advanced attacking role behind Joshua Zirkzee was one of Ten Hag’s more unexpected selections. Mazraoui, who joined United from Bayern Munich in the summer for £12.8 million, has played in central midfield 44 times over his career but was not often considered for the No. 10 spot, especially given Amad Diallo’s availability.

Explaining his decision pre-match, Ten Hag said, “With injuries and Bruno’s suspension, we had to get creative. Some players are also recovering for West Ham, so we’ve adjusted. It’s a different setup but still consistent with our structure.”

Ten Hag elaborated, “With Eriksen as our No. 8, Mainoo as the No. 6, and Mazraoui in the No. 10 role, we felt he could press effectively and support our system well. I know him from my time at Ajax, where he occasionally played in half-spaces and midfield. We can adjust his position as needed, and Casemiro is an option to come in if we need a more offensive push.”

United’s winless Europa League campaign continued as Youssef En-Nesyri’s header canceled out Christian Eriksen’s opener. Mazraoui was ultimately shifted to left-back in the second half.

Ten Hag also noted the unique atmosphere of an away game in Turkey, saying, “In Europe, with the intense crowd, starting with four attackers felt like too much. Nous is well-suited for this role; he supported midfield defensively and helped Zirkzee press, contributing to Eriksen’s goal. We can always bring him back if needed.”

Erik ten Hag’s decision to use Noussair Mazraoui as a No. 10 was certainly bold and reflects his tactical adaptability. Given the unavailability of Bruno Fernandes and the need to manage player fitness for upcoming Premier League fixtures, Ten Hag saw Mazraoui—a player he knows well from their time together at Ajax—as a versatile solution.

Mazraoui’s experience in central midfield, although not commonly as an advanced playmaker, made him an option for linking midfield and attack. Ten Hag likely viewed Mazraoui’s ability to press and control half-spaces as an asset against Fenerbahce’s midfield. Starting Mazraoui in an advanced role added defensive stability without compromising attacking structure, especially in an intense away atmosphere in Turkey, where balance can be critical.

Although United’s Europa League struggles continued with a 1-1 draw, Mazraoui’s shift to left-back in the second half demonstrated Ten Hag’s willingness to adapt to the game’s flow. His adjustments allowed for a flexible approach, balancing attack and defense while managing player fatigue—a tactic he may continue using in future congested fixture periods.