Erik ten Hag made a surprising move during Manchester United’s Europa League game against Real Sociedad. In the final 10 minutes of the match, the Manchester United manager decided to utilize Harry Maguire as a striker in an attempt to secure an additional goal. At that point, Manchester United was leading 1-0, thanks to an Alejandro Garnacho goal in the 17th minute, but needed another goal to secure a higher position than Real Sociedad in Group E.

With limited options on the bench, in the 82nd minute, Ten Hag made a substitution, introducing Fred and Harry Maguire for Christian Eriksen and Garnacho. However, Maguire struggled to receive adequate delivery to capitalize on his height advantage. Maguire, who had been benched for Lindelof as a center back, took on the role of a striker, and Manchester United adopted a strategy of employing aerial passes.

Explaining the tactical move in the post-match conference, Ten Hag said, “We needed an extra goal, so we brought more offensive players on, more four-against-four in the midfield, so we took more risks from that moment on.”

He further highlighted the competition for positions within the team, stating, “He (Lindelof) is performing well in combination with Martinez. Sunday he was ill, so not available and then (in) came Harry, and he did well also. So I am happy we have the competition in many more positions and that is what we need, but also to cover all the games.”

Regarding the absence of Varane due to injury, Ten Hag acknowledged its impact, saying, “With the Varane injury, it hurt us because also his leadership, but still we have three really good centre-backs, and that’s good and that’s also what we need.”

To clarify the decision to push Maguire forward, Ten Hag explained, “We needed the goal, and then we went more opportune. With Cristiano and Harry Maguire, you have two good headers, and we tried to go more direct into the box, and I think we did several times, quicker to get into the box for the opponent.”