Fans were bemused as Erik ten Hag named a centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans in Man Utd's starting lineup against Aston Villa.
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Ten Hag names Maguire and Evans in Man Utd lineupFans slam strange team selectionRed Devils face Aston Villa in crucial Premier League fixtureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag decided to rest his first-choice centre-back pairing of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, instead naming Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire in the starting lineup to face Aston Villa. Maguire has not started for United in the Premier League since their clash against Brighton in August, while Evans will feature in the starting XI for the first time this season.
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The unusual starting lineup in a crunch league game has left several fans bemused who have slammed the Dutch coach's decision.
Dracy Utd on X, formerly known as Twitter, said, "Evans and Maguire. We're doomed. We fans can't even have a moment of joy even in your lineup, it's all pains."
Nathan Bacon predicted a big win for the Villans as he wrote, "Maguire & Jonny Evans starting in 2024. Watkins & Rogers hattricks incoming."
Francis Yu posted, "Imagine you spend millions on defenders but you still find Maguire is your best defender. Epic man united."
A handle simply named D called out Ten Hag as their post read, "Maguire – Evans center back pairing in 2024, he is actually the funniest manager in the league."
Jon predicts Ten Hag will surely be fired after this match as he wrote, "Away at Villa he’s dropped both holding midfielders & picked Maguire & Evans over Martinez & De Ligt. Looks like he’s trying to get the sack."
Tumusiime Denis wrote, "Evans and Maguire, Ten Hag is packing his things tonight."
Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The under-fire Red Devils boss might have taken a huge gamble by rotating his squad in a match that could possibly determine his future at the helm. United are winless in their last five outings across all competitions and have conceded six goals in their last two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and FC Porto respectively.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
After their clash with Villa on Sunday, United will be back in action after the international break as they take on Brentford on October 19 at Old Trafford.