Erik ten Hag has confirmed Noussair Mazraoui will start in attacking midfield for Manchester United against Fenerbahce. United have drawn their opening two games in the revamped Europa League league phase and need to secure their first win of the campaign in the competition on Thursday.
Familiar face Jose Mourinho, who was appointed as Fenerbahce boss in the summer, stands in the way of the victory and a hostile atmosphere is guaranteed in Istanbul.
Bruno Fernandes is suspended for the game and Mazraoui, a natural full-back, is set to start in attacking midfield alongside Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte, while Joshua Zirkzee has replaced Rasmus Hojlund, who has been named on the bench, in the starting line-up. ALSO READ: Mourinho was box office for those of us in the press box ALSO READ: 'I think we still have a chance' - Mourinho aims dig at City Mazraoui has played 44 games in central midfield in his career, scoring seven goals, and Ten Hag explained the decision to start him in midfield when he spoke to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off. "We have some injuries and a suspension with Bruno, so we had to be creative," said Ten Hag. "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 No.6 and we bring Mazraoui into the No.10 position.
I know him from before, 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.