Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag didn’t just stun the club’s supporters with his treatment of Amad Diallo in Thursday’s Europa League draw at Fenerbahce. But he also reportedly left the hosts’ staff perplexed by handing the talented winger a bit-part role in the 1-1 stalemate at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Amad was hotly tipped to return to the starting lineup as Bruno Fernandes‘ replacement, with the United captain serving a one-match suspension in Istanbul.
The 22-year-old boasts multiple traits that would serve him well as an attacking midfielder, a position in which he has previously operated.
However, Ten Hag caused a shock by recalling right-back Noussair Mazraoui and playing him behind Joshua Zirkzee in his attack.
Mazraoui was United’s most advanced midfielder, ahead of Manuel Ugarte and Christian Eriksen, a role he had occupied before under Ten Hag.
“We have some injuries and a suspension with Bruno, so we had to be creative,” the United boss told TNT Sports ahead of kick-off.
“Also, we had some players who have a short turnaround to West Ham, so we’ve made some changes there and a different set-up, but not so much different because we want to keep consistency.
“Eriksen there, Mainoo as the number six, and we bring Mazraoui into the number 10 position. I know him from before.
“I sometimes played him there for Ajax, also playing him as a full-back, and also in our system, he’s playing in the half spaces, so he’s capable of doing this job. He can do good pressing.”
Ten Hag also snubbed Amad when he replaced Marcus Rashford in the 73rd minute, calling on Antony, who has started just one game all season.
He later revealed Antony earned his minutes with strong training performances, but the Brazilian winger was forced off on a stretcher just 16 minutes later.
It was only then that Ten Hag offered an opportunity to Amad, who looked visibly disappointed as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, and Andreas Georgson attempted to encourage him on the touchline.
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