Paul Scholes has delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s decision to field full-back Noussair Mazraoui in the No.10 role during their crucial Europa League clash against Fenerbahce. The decision has left both fans and pundits scratching their heads, with Scholes being one of the most vocal critics. Known for his sharp footballing mind, Scholes questioned the tactical choice, particularly when a more traditional option like Christian Eriksen was available.
Typically, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes occupies the attacking midfield role, where his creativity and leadership have become central to United’s style of play. However, Fernandes was unavailable for the Fenerbahce match, serving a suspension after his red card in United’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Porto earlier in the month. With Fernandes out, many expected Ten Hag to select a more natural replacement for the No.10 position, such as Eriksen, who has experience playing as an advanced playmaker.
But instead of making the seemingly straightforward choice, Ten Hag opted to experiment, deploying Mazraoui, a player known more for his defensive and full-back capabilities. This decision was met with widespread surprise. While Mazraoui has played in midfield before under Ten Hag’s tutelage at Ajax, it is not a position he is regularly associated with at Manchester United. Ten Hag defended his decision, explaining to TNT Sports that injuries and the suspension of Fernandes forced him to be “creative” with his lineup.
“We have some injuries and a suspension with Bruno, so we had to be creative,” Ten Hag explained. “Also, we had some players who have a short turnaround to West Ham, so we’ve made some changes and a different set-up. But it’s not so much different because we want to keep consistency.” He elaborated further on his thinking behind Mazraoui’s inclusion, highlighting the player’s ability to press effectively and adapt to different roles within the game. “Mazraoui has played in midfield before, and I know him from Ajax where he sometimes played in this role. In our system, he operates in the half spaces, so he’s capable of doing this job.”
Despite Ten Hag’s reasoning, Scholes remained unconvinced, finding the decision to play Mazraoui in such a pivotal role highly questionable. In his post-match analysis, Scholes expressed his confusion over why Eriksen, an experienced and naturally attacking midfielder, was overlooked for the role. “I’m confused by it,” Scholes remarked. “I even think his explanation of it was confusing. Why not just pick Eriksen to play in that No.10 position where he’s comfortable?”
Scholes’ confusion is shared by many, especially given Eriksen’s ability to dictate play from advanced areas. Eriksen is known for his vision, creativity, and knack for unlocking defenses, qualities that seemed to be what United needed against a well-organized Fenerbahce side. Instead, Mazraoui’s unfamiliarity with the position was evident, as United struggled to assert dominance in midfield.
To compound matters, Scholes questioned the overall tactical setup employed by Ten Hag. With players like Eriksen, Casemiro, and Hannibal Mejbri available, Scholes was puzzled as to why Ten Hag felt the need to play a full-back out of position. While Ten Hag insisted Mazraoui’s inclusion was to maintain pressing and defensive structure, Scholes believed it was an unnecessary risk that could have been avoided with more straightforward team selection.
As the match progressed, it became clear that Mazraoui was not fully comfortable in the No.10 role. Although his defensive instincts and work rate are commendable, he struggled to influence the game in an attacking sense. Scholes’ criticism reflects a broader frustration among fans who have seen their team falter in recent weeks due to inconsistent tactical decisions. For Scholes, the answer was simple—stick with what works. Eriksen, a seasoned midfielder with plenty of big-game experience, should have been given the nod in the absence of Fernandes.
In addition to criticizing the selection, Scholes also highlighted how United’s midfield balance was thrown off by Ten Hag’s experimentation. With Eriksen dropping deeper and Mazraoui stepping into an unfamiliar attacking role, the team lacked the fluency and cohesion needed to break down Fenerbahce’s defense. The result was a disjointed performance that raised more questions about Ten Hag’s approach to such high-stakes matches.
Scholes, who spent his entire career at Manchester United, has seen the club evolve through different managerial eras, and his insight often resonates deeply with fans. His bafflement at Ten Hag’s decision only emphasizes the growing concerns surrounding United’s recent performances. With crucial fixtures on the horizon, including a Premier League clash against West Ham, United must address these tactical missteps if they are to regain form and challenge for silverware this season.
Ultimately, Ten Hag’s gamble on Mazraoui backfired, and Scholes’ critique will likely echo through the halls of Old Trafford as the team seeks to find stability. Whether Ten Hag reverts to a more traditional setup in future matches remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Paul Scholes won’t be the only one keeping a close eye on how United responds to this latest t
actical experiment.