Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag says he used Harry Maguire as a striker against Real Sociedad as he wanted more bodies in attack. The Red Devils had to win by a two-goal margin to snatch top spot from Real Sociedad in Group E in the Europa League. In the 82nd minute, Ten Hag replaced goalscorer Alejandro Garnacho with Maguire and used him as a target man in search of the elusive second goal. But Maguire was not provided good enough deliveries to use his imposing frame to cause problems in the box, with the team inexplicably playing a late corner short rather than hoisting it towards his head.
After the match the Dutch tactician explained his decision, telling the club’s official website: “To bring extra offensive players in. But I think in that moment we were too erratic, we weren’t as good on the ball anymore and we brought less balls into the box. In the last 10 minutes, we got the ball in the box again and created a good chance.