{"id":1285534,"date":"2022-11-03T21:14:07","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T21:14:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1285534"},"modified":"2022-11-03T21:16:10","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T21:16:10","slug":"erik-ten-hag-harry-maguire-striker-man-utd-real-sociedad","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/erik-ten-hag-harry-maguire-striker-man-utd-real-sociedad\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains “clear” reason why he played Harry Maguire up front vs Real Sociedad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained why he brought on Harry Maguire as a striker in their 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Red Devils went into their Europa League game in Spain knowing only a win by two or more goals would see them go directly through to the last 16 of the competition, avoiding the knockout round playoffs. When these sides met earlier in the season at Old Trafford, Brais Mendez scored the only goal from the penalty spot to give Real Sociedad the win and the advantage on head-to-head.<\/p>\n

On Thursday night, Man Utd got off to a great start with Cristiano Ronaldo supplying Alejandro Garnacho for the opening goal inside 20 minutes, with the Argentine becoming the club’s youngest-ever non-English scorer in European competition. After the goal, Man Utd’s travelling fans must have been optimistic about their side getting a second to take top spot, but it didn’t come.<\/p>\n

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In fact, the goal was Man Utd’s only shot on target in the match, with just four attempts overall. The second half in particular was terrible, with just one attempt in 45 minutes which didn’t trouble the goalkeeper. <\/p>\n

Chasing the second goal with just under 10 minutes left to play, Ten Hag made a tactical switch up top which had a lot of fans confused. Taking off Garnacho and Christian Eriksen, the Dutchman brought on Fred and Maguire, the latter joining Cristiano Ronaldo as a strike force.<\/p>\n

In his brief cameo up front, Maguire had just three touches of the ball, completed one pass and won one of his three duels. Unfortunately it was more David James vs Middlesbrough than Millie Bright vs Germany, but Ten Hag stood by his decision, noting it did bring a positive change to his team’s play.<\/p>\n

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He told reporters: “Clear [why Maguire went up front]. 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.”<\/p>\n

While some fans may have been upset with Ten Hag playing Maguire up front, a lot were just taken away by the bizarreness of the moment, while also sympathising that the Dutchman pretty much had no other attacking options.<\/p>\n

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Manchester United need a goal \u26bd<\/p>\n

? comes Harry Maguire <\/p>\n

The defender has gone upfront! #BBCFootball<\/a> #UEL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1hD4ZWNw1v<\/a><\/p>\n

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n