Erik ten Hag explains Man Utd's Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw centre-back pairing

12 February 2023 , 14:01

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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag (Image: Sky Sports)

Erik ten Hag has explained the rationale behind Manchester United’s surprising starting XI at Leeds United.

The Red Devils head to Elland Road to take on Leeds just four days on from the pair’s entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. On that occasion, the Whites established a two-goal lead, before goals from Marcus Rashford and the returning Jadon Sancho earned them a point.

That fixture was rearranged due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II back in September, meaning the two rivals will go head-to-head twice in the same week. Interim Leeds boss Michael Skubala hinted there may be some surprises considering the quick turnaround, but it’s the visitors whose lineup is arguably more eye-catching.

In total, the Dutchman has made three changes from midweek, two of which have come in a very different looking back four. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have both dropped to the bench, with Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia starting instead.

Maguire was picked alongside Shaw at the heart of United’s defence, with the club captain starting a Premier League match for the first time since January 3.

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Speaking about his central defensive partnership, Ten Hag said: "They [Shaw and Maguire] know each other, they also know the game and the rivalry between Leeds and Manchester United. They have to project it on the whole team. I expect leadership from them today, definitely."

Harry Maguire's is back in Manchester United's starting XI (Getty Images)

Martinez and Varane have established themselves as the starting pair, but with his side still battling on four fronts, Ten Hag is keen to keep his options refreshed.

He added: "Rotation is one part of it. They've had a lot of games to cover - with the World Cup and now already back and a lot of games coming after each other and a lot of games ahead as well. The other part is also tactics."

The third change sees Sancho back in the starting XI in place of Alejandro Garnacho. The former Borussia Dortmund star has spent a period of time away from the main group, with Ten Hag previously admitting he needed help both physically and mentally.

Jadon Sancho scored against Leeds in midweek (Dave Thompson/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Ten Hag said of Sancho’s enforced absence: "Rotation is one part of it. They've had a lot of games to cover - with the World Cup and now already back and a lot of games coming after each other and a lot of games ahead as well. The other part is also tactics."

Sancho’s equaliser on Wednesday was his fourth of the current campaign and the latest step in rediscovering the form that earned him his mega money move in the summer of 2021. The 22-year-old enjoyed a brilliant spell in the Bundesliga, but has failed to replicate that form since returning to Manchester and missed out on England’s World Cup squad in Qatar.

As for Leeds, they’ve made two changes from the midweek draw with Junior Firpo and Crysencio Summerville coming in for Pascal Strujik and Luis Sinisterra.

Ben Husband