Jainil Shah
Erik ten Hag explains why Omari Forson started for Manchester United
Manchester United played Fulham in the Premier League yesterday with Erik ten Hag starting Omari Forson for the first time. The game ended in a 2-1 defeat with for the Red Devils with Alex Iwobi scoring a winner in injury time.
There were a few surprised faces when Manchester United named their starting lineup. Erik ten Hag named Omari Forson in the starting lineup ahead of Amad Diallo and Antony on the right wing against Fulham at Old Trafford yesterday.
Omari Forson travelled with Manchester United to the pre-season in America last summer and then was promoted to the first-team squad for the first time.
Omari Forson has made some impressive performances for the Under-21s but his performances there have been limited because of his time with senior side. The 19-year-old was handed the debut for the senior side in the FA Cup against Wigan Athletic when he replaced Marcus Rashford from the bench at the DW Stadium.
Manchester United academy graduate has also made appearances from the bench against Newport County and Wolves. Fulham was his first opportunity to make an impact for Manchester United’s first team from the start of the game.
Injury assisted Omari Forson’s debut start
There were reports about Rasmus Højlund getting injured before the game against Fulham. The injury forced Erik ten Hag to rethink his lineup and strategy going into the game at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford was shifted from the left flank to a more central role and Garnacho took his favoured left side. Which left space for Omari Forson to start on the right wing.
Erik Ten Hag when speaking to MUTV was asked about the reason behind Omari Forson starting:
He said: “Because he deserves the position. Lately, he’s performing very well, over the last half year he’s worked very hard, showed his progression.
“And when he came on against Wolves and Newport he had some impact, for instance with the goal for Kobbie Mainoo, he had the link up and good run behind. That’s what we expect from him. He showed reliability and now he gets his chance, so he has to take his chance.
“They [the attackers] have to stay and occupy certain spaces but they can swap positions. It’s about how they’re standing in their defensive transition, so it can’t be a mess, it’s very clear who has to play where.
“But he will be fluid and we will be unpredictable sometimes. Those players have the capabilities, the dynamics, they want to find space, run abilities but also link up abilities.
“It’s important we have connections there but if we get it, they can be a threat and connect with each other.”
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Manchester United fans will be excited by Omari Forson and the potential he has. Hope this was the first of many more starts to come.
