Ten Hag reveals why Jonny Evans started over Raphael Varane in Manchester derby
Erik ten Hag took a bold step by opting for Jonny Evans instead of Raphael Varane in the Manchester derby. The manager has now provided reasoning behind his choice.
Manchester United’s dismal record in recent derbies persisted at Old Trafford. The team was thoroughly outplayed by their opponents, resulting in a well-deserved 3-0 defeat.
Facing criticism, Erik ten Hag had to address his tactical decisions, none of which resonated well with the fans.
Perhaps the most puzzling decision from a personal perspective was starting Jonny Evans over Raphael Varane for tactical purposes.
This choice seemed unconventional as the two players stand at opposite ends of their careers: one, a veteran who departed the club ten years ago, and the other, a multiple-time Champions League winner.
This decision left many bewildered, prompting Ten Hag to explain his rationale. He claimed that if Varane and Harry Maguire, both right-footed players, had started the game, United would have resorted to playing more long balls, which he sought to avoid.
Here’s what Erik ten Hag has had to say in full here:
“When you face City, they will go up to press and then to play with Rapha [Varane, on the right] and Maguire over the left, that can give problems and then you end up only kicking long balls.” Ten Hag responded, per ManUtd.com.
“He is, for me, better on the right, Harry, especially against teams pressing high and, second, is you have to step in over that side and that was our tactic – to step in over [Julian] Alvarez and get Sofyan [Amrabat] higher to get [the] press on their build-up and that’s why.”
Varane might be grappling with a mix of emotions this morning. Being one of the finest defenders of his generation, being sidelined for Evans in a crucial Manchester derby seems bewildering.
Evans, initially brought in for squad depth, was an unexpected choice for such a pivotal match—a decision that appears quite unconventional.
The pressure on Ten Hag is palpable, and it’s possible that amidst this pressure, some questionable decisions were made in the recent game.
It’s conceivable that the Dutch manager, under such strain, might be trying to deviate from the norm in a bid to find solutions. However, the outcome at the Theatre of Dreams was nothing short of worrisome (more like a nightmare!).
Considering the team’s current injury crisis, there’s a level of empathy warranted. Nevertheless, the recent result seemed somewhat inevitable given the prior narrow wins against Sheffield United and Brentford.
What’s truly alarming is that Manchester United have yet to display a convincing performance in a single league game this season. The continuation of this form is a concern.
This isn’t a call for Ten Hag’s dismissal; rather, it’s a plea for the manager to start delivering consistent results and performances. Despite this, many still believe he’s the right person for the job, but the need for an upturn in results and on-field displays is becoming increasingly urgent.
Ten Hag reveals why Jonny Evans started over Raphael Varane in Manchester derby
