Featured Image Credit: Getty / TNT Sports
Topics: Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Champions League, Erik Ten Hag, Raphael Varane, Fan Reactions
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Champions League, Erik Ten Hag, Raphael Varane, Fan Reactions
Manchester United fans spotted a tactic used during their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich which appeared to contradict Erik ten Hag's previous decisions.
United were dumped out of the Champions League after the defeat, although would have been knocked out even with a win due to Copenhagen beating Galatasaray.
But three points would have secured a spot in the Europa League play-off round, with the end result being that United are out of European competition completely.
There was more bad news for Ten Hag, with both Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire both having to be withdrawn due to injury.
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If both players are ruled out of Sunday's clash against Liverpool, the Dutchman will have Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans as his only fit senior centre-backs.
Varane was brought out of the cold to start the Bayern fixture, having not played in any of the last five matches. The Frenchman lined up on the left side of defence alongside Maguire.
Ten Hag has previously not played Varane on that side due to his desire to have a natural left-footed player there, but was left with little option last night due to injuries.
When Evans came off the bench, however, United fans spotted that Varane was still playing on the left side - despite his centre-back partner being two-footed.
One fan took to X (Twitter) to ask: "Can we move away from the myth created by ETH that Varane can't play as a left CB?"
Another said: "Bigger issues tonight of course, but after six weeks of saying Varane can't play LCB, but Evans can, playing Varane LCB and Evans RCB in the second half was staggering."
A third user wrote: "Varane was left out of games because of 'tactical reasons'. Evans partnered Maguire as LCB because the manager said he could play there over Varane who isn't left footed. Now Evans is playing RCB and Varane is playing LCB. Make it make sense."
And a fourth said: "I thought the reason ETH played Evans instead of Varane was because his left foot was stronger? The more you see, the less you understand. Too many weird decisions."