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Erik ten Hag reveals playing Luke Shaw at centre-back against Everton for Manchester United a “tactical choice”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that he played Luke Shaw at centre-back against Everton due to a “tactical choice”. The 27-year-old partnered Raphael Varane in the backline against the Toffees.
The former Southampton star had previously been deployed to good effect alongside the France international against Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Once again, against Frank Lampard’s team in the FA Cup, the England international played as a central defender. Speaking to MUTV via Manchester Evening News, the gaffer was happy to play the left-back out of position, considering his previous displays.
“We take every game in every competition seriously, so also this one. It’s a tactical choice with him [Shaw] again. He worked very well in the centre-back position with Rapha [Varane], and also Tyrell Malacia, who played really strong.”
Everton visited Old Trafford in the third round of the domestic cup competition. In the end, United came out on top and progressed to the next round after a 3-1 win.
However, Shaw’s performance was not as commanding as his previous ones at centre-back. The Red Devils took the lead early on in the game through Antony. However, Conor Coady equalised after a howler in goal from David de Gea.
It was an open game in the first half. Both teams had opportunities to find the back of the net more than once. However, we went into the break level.
At the start of the second half, United took the lead once more after Coady scored an own goal. But Everton looked threatening after that point.
Our backline was split open a few times. Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the back of the net, but it was ruled offside. In the end, a Marcus Rashford penalty secured our win.
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Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez came on the pitch as substitutes. Victor Lindelof was also on the bench for Ten Hag. Considering the depth we have in defence, it does not make sense to start Shaw when others are available. Hopefully, the Dutch manager realises that.
