Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was an unlikely wide target man in a strange stylistic set-up in the Europa League
(Image credit: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has had a tough season so far. But perhaps he could have reimagined his career in a bizarre Erik ten Hag tweak away to Real Sociedad.
United were searching for another goal to avoid the dreaded Europa League play-off against a strong third-placed Champions League team, needing a two-goal cushion to top their group. After taking the lead through Alejandro Garnacho, they looked poised to grab another.
La Real stood strong, though. Ten Hag threw the kitchen sink at it – including using his captain as an unlikely lightning rod up front.
Erik ten Hag has had some funny ideas since joining United – but this might top them all (Image credit: Naomi Baker / Getty Images)
Maguire was brought on as a second half substitute and began to drift towards the left-wing. After a few minutes, he was in a forward berth. Cristiano Ronaldo has now partnered the likes of Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Karim Benzema… and Harry Maguire up front. It didn't quite work out, however.
The England captain rose to a few long balls as a target man looking to head onto Ronaldo but United finished the game 1-0 winner – but losers in the long-run, ending up with one of those trickier ties.
It's perhaps not the bold reinvention that ol' Slabhead would've liked.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
