Erik ten Hag hits back at ‘messy’ tactics criticism after playing Harry Maguire in attack during Manchester United’s win over Real Sociedad

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United now face a Europa League play-off tie in February (BT Sport)

Erik ten Hag has defended his tactical approach in the second half of Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Alejandro Garnacho put United in front in the first half but Ten Hag’s side needed to beat the Spanish club by two clear goals in order to finish top of Group E.

United, who now face a Europa League play-off next February, looked disjointed for large parts of the second half and Ten Hag resorted to bring on Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker late on.

The change, however, proved unsuccessful as United were unable to get that crucial second goal.

Explaining his tactical thinking for the second half, Ten Hag said: ‘First of all, Donny was a long time out.

‘He couldn’t play 90 minutes, so after 60 minutes we planned the sub and then we needed an extra goal so we brought more offensive players on, more four-against-four in the midfield, so we took more risks from that moment on.

Harry Maguire was used as a makeshift striker as Manchester United chased a second goal against Real Sociedad (AP)

‘He [Lindelof] is performing well in combination with Martinez. Sunday he was ill, so not available and then in came Harry and he did well also. So I am happy we have the competition in many more positions and that is what we need, but also to cover all the games.

‘With the Varane injury, it hurt us because also his leadership, but still we have three really good centre-backs and that’s good and that’s also what we need.

‘It’s clear, we needed the goal and then we went more opportune. With Cristiano and Harry Maguire, you have two good headers and we tried to go more direct into the box and I think we did several times, quicker to get into the box for the opponent.’

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Meanwhile, Paul Scholes branded Ten Hag’s tactics a ‘mess’ with Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Maguire all playing in unfamiliar roles.

‘I think it got a bit messy that second half, I’m not too sure what he was trying to achieve,’ Scholes told BT Sport.

‘I think it started with the Lindelof substitution, United first half were in complete control, Lindelof’s substitution puts Casemiro into the back four or back three, whatever it ended up.

‘Marcus Rashford comes on for Van de Beek as a No.10 and it’s not Marcus’ position, he needs to be on the shoulder of people, he needs to be out wide, in space receiving the ball.

‘[Harry] Maguire goes up top and it becomes a long ball game. I’m all for that, it can work, but second half I just thought… after being in complete control, it became a mess.’

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Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were all playing out of position.