Andre Onana reacts to shock Noussair Mazraoui position change
- Noussair Mazraoui played as a 'number 10' for Man Utd on Thursday night
- Fans were shocked to see the full-back line up in an attacking role
- Andre Onana wasn't surprised, nor was Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana insisted Noussair Mazraoui starting in the 'number 10' role against Fenerbahce was "pragmatic" and did not come as a surprise to the squad.
Despite the public reaction prior to kick-off, opposing manager Jose Mourinho also said he wasn't shocked due to already being tipped off that it was a possibility.
Mazraoui is primarily a defender, but Erik ten Hag explained beforehand that he had previously used the full-back in an attacking midfield position with former club Ajax and was keen to tap into his pressing abilities in the absence of suspended United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Onana was teammate of Mazraoui's under Ten Hag at Ajax and has seen the versatility up close.
"He did a good job for us. We're happy with him and happy with his performance," the goalkeeper explained to TNT Sports after the game.
"He used to play there when he was younger so I think, sometimes, we have to be pragmatic with the red cards and injuries. Sometimes, players need to step up. That's what Mazraoui did and he was brilliant for the team because the team needed him there and I'm happy with him."
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves react to Noussair Mazraoui playing as no.10 for Man United tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/Z9VLLWqdlY
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 24, 2024
Mazraoui did indeed press when Fenerbahce were in possession, while he also had involvement in the United goal scored by Christian Eriksen, getting into the box and knocking a low cross towards Joshua Zirkzee, who then laid the ball off for the Dane to net from 18 yards.
When the teams were released ahead of kick-off, it didn't phase Mourinho either. United only took three midfielders with them to Istanbul due to Fernandes being suspended and Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Toby Collyer ruled out through injury. It meant there were only a finite number of options to replace Fernandes and ex-United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, a former Ten Hag player at Utrecht and an international teammate of Mazraoui's, flagged to his current boss.
"The situation with Mazraoui, for you was maybe a big surprise. But not for us because Sofyan Amrabat told me Mazraoui can play in this position. He did it a lot with Erik ten Hag in Ajax. He has the qualities. He's not Bruno but he has the legs to press," Mourinho explained.
READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed