Erik ten Hag Prefers Not to Pair Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane in Manchester United’s Defense
Right-Footed Duo Raises Concerns for Ten Hag
Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has expressed his preference to not partner Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane in the center of the team’s defense due to both players being right-footed. Ten Hag believes that having two right-footed defenders can hinder the fluidity of the team’s build-up play.
Varane’s Reduced Game Time
Raphael Varane, 30, has seen a decrease in his game time recently, with Ten Hag opting to start Maguire alongside 35-year-old center-back Jonny Evans instead. However, Evans will be unavailable for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Luton Town after sustaining an injury in the Champions League group stage defeat to Copenhagen. This means that Varane will partner with Maguire for the upcoming match.
Left-Sided Options Unavailable
Ten Hag also mentioned that Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, who have both operated as left-sided center-backs, are currently sidelined. This further limits the options for the manager in terms of defensive partnerships.
Tactical Considerations
Ten Hag clarified that his decision to pair Maguire and Evans was not solely based on their ball-playing abilities, as suggested by former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes. The manager cited “tactical reasons” for his choice of partnerships and emphasized that he has confidence in the combinations involving Varane as well.
Competition for Places
Ten Hag acknowledged that Maguire is currently performing well and praised his abilities. He also highlighted the internal competition within the team, indicating that Varane will have to compete for his place in the starting lineup.
Overall, Ten Hag’s preference to avoid pairing two right-footed defenders highlights his concern for the team’s build-up play. While Maguire and Varane have proven that they can play together, the manager believes that having left-footed options provides more flexibility in constructing a cohesive defensive formation.