“He was the only player we were all scared of. Many coaches have talked a lot about him, but Erik ten Hag puts him on the bench. We were really surprised. We couldn’t believe it. This guy would work in any team in the world and become a superstar.” – Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce staff were shocked by Erik ten Hag’s treatment of a certain Man Utd player who is not happy with Erik ten Hag. Erik Ten Hag doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing at this point

Manchester United’s Europa League campaign saw another twist with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahçe, sparking further debate over Erik ten Hag’s tactical decisions. The match featured unexpected lineup choices from Ten Hag, as well as a dramatic moment when former United manager José Mourinho was ejected in the second half, drawing additional attention. For United fans, the game raised questions, particularly around Ten Hag’s player selections and substitutions.

United began on a positive note with a well-placed strike from Christian Eriksen, giving them hope for a first Europa League win this season. However, that hope was dashed when Youssef En-Nesyri scored the equalizer, exposing United’s defensive weaknesses and securing a point for the hosts. This result extended United’s winless streak in the competition and put additional pressure on Ten Hag, whose tactics were already under close examination. Mourinho’s exit added fuel to the fire, as he clashed with officials over a non-call after Manuel Ugarte’s challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel. Many felt this should have been a penalty, heightening Mourinho’s frustration.

One of the more surprising moves by Ten Hag was deploying full-back Noussair Mazraoui as a No. 10, a role typically filled by Bruno Fernandes, who was unavailable. This unusual decision left fans puzzled, as it seemed to reduce United’s offensive creativity. Additionally, Ten Hag’s choice to sideline young talent Amad Diallo drew criticism. Fenerbahçe’s coaching staff reportedly expected Amad to feature sooner, and his immediate impact upon entering the game—drawing a foul on defender Mert Muldur—only fueled questions about why Ten Hag waited so long.

Fans voiced their frustrations on social media, especially regarding Ten Hag’s preference for Antony over Amad. After the match, Ten Hag explained that Antony’s training performances justified his selection, saying, “Amad is progressing, but Antony has been exceptional in training.” However, this decision backfired when Antony, shortly after coming on, suffered an injury, leaving the stadium on crutches—a reminder of United’s ongoing injury struggles.

Looking ahead to their October 27 game against West Ham, fans are hopeful that Amad will be given a chance to start, especially given his strong performances in limited Premier League appearances this season. Supporters believe he deserves a more prominent role, and the match against West Ham offers Ten Hag an opportunity to reconsider his lineup strategy.

The Fenerbahçe draw has intensified scrutiny of Ten Hag’s tactics, especially with United’s continued struggles in the Europa League. Eriksen’s early goal initially gave fans optimism, but En-Nesyri’s equalizer and Mourinho’s red card became the story of the night. Mourinho’s anger over the penalty denial only added to the tension.

Looking back, Ten Hag’s experiments—like using Mazraoui as a playmaker and delaying Amad’s entry—have become focal points of fan criticism. Amad’s quick impact raised further questions about why Ten Hag chose Antony, a decision that became riskier with Antony’s injury. Fans are left wondering if Ten Hag might be undervaluing Amad’s potential to bring fresh energy to United’s lineup.

As United prepares for the next match, there’s hope that Ten Hag will adjust his approach to better utilize his players’ skills. Amad has shown promise, and the West Ham fixture could be his chance to prove himself if Ten Hag is willing to take a chance on his yo

unger talent.