"The build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position," Erik ten Hag said of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane. "Because I think Licha (Martinez), obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed, but they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles." No mention of Varane there.
Varane and Maguire have started together twice this season, though Maguire has only been partnered by Lindelof once and Newcastle United ran riot at Old Trafford. READ MORE: Ten Hag addresses the Varane situation READ MORE: Ten Hag names five players showing leadership skills "I was very happy with the game in Copenhagen," Ten Hag stressed on Sunday. "I think it was our best minutes for as long as it was 11v11.
It was a very good midfield balance, but there was a good balance all over the team. "We played very well and it is just the way we want to see.
We have to build on that.” Few United fans would disagree with that assessment. They impressed for 70-odd minutes in Denmark but collapses at the end of both halves cost them.