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Manchester United allowed yet another team to rally back from a goal down in the Europa League, this time managing only a point against Fenerbahce on Thursday.
It was the visitors who took the lead through Christian Eriksen but the hosts equalised early in the second half and United failed to grab the winner.
Erik ten Hag’s strange selection calls played a major role in the disappointing result with the Dutchman picking right-back Noussair Mazraoui to play as the attacking midfielder in club captain Bruno Fernandes’ enforced absence.
And while the Moroccan is an intelligent player, he struggled creatively as expected and managed zero key passes and it would have been a far better choice if the manager had gone with someone else.
Bizarre decisions from EtH
Joshua Zirkzee, who is struggling up top, could have played in that position, as could have Eriksen. Surprisingly, Ten Hag also ignored Amad Diallo, who had shone for Sunderland on loan two seasons ago while playing in that position.
In fact, the Ivorian had begun the season as a starter on the right flank, producing a few promising displays against Brighton and Southampton but his minutes have drastically gone down in the last three games.
Antony seemingly has overtaken the 22-year-old in the pecking order as explained by the manager and the forward’s bleak expression was captured when he came on to replace the injured Brazilian.
As The Athletic explained, Fenerbahce’s coaches were surprised to see Ten Hag not calling upon the former Atalanta starlet until the 89th minute.
The United coaches all came up one by one trying to cheer up the youngster but it was evident at how disappointed he was with his manager’s bizarre treatment.
“Eventually, Mazraoui was joined on the pitch by the player many thought may have filled the Fernandes hole. Amad was evidently upset at not starting — and even being left on the bench instead as Antony was subbed on before him — and coaches Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake and Andreas Georgson all tried to cajole him into a smile before he went on.
Amad shunned by EtH
“Some in the Fenerbahce hierarchy were stunned Amad had not come on sooner and they feared the worst when his first touch, from an excellent cross-field pass by Mazaroui, took him beyond Mert Muldur. But Muldur took the drastic defensive action required and scythed Amad down.”
Amad’s first action after coming on was expertly controlling a long diagonal and going past Mert Muldur before the player cynically hacked him down to avoid further danger.
Ten Hag’s current system was not getting the best out of the Ivory Coast international who struggles as the line-hugging winger. He prefers cutting into space before unleashing a shot or playing quick passes to get someone else in.
He was praised by the former Ajax coach at the start of the season and plenty had thought this would be Amad’s breakthrough year in Manchester. That does not appear to be the case currently.
Ten Hag’s strange usage of players and his tactics are clearly not working and with United 21st in the Europa League table, INEOS need to take heed soon or the season might end worse than the last one.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images