ERIK ten Hag stubbornly stood by his contentious decision not to start Raphael Varane in the demoralising 3-0 defeat by Manchester City.
Ten Hag benched Varane in favour of the 35-year-old Jonny Evans but Erling Haaland scored twice and Phil Foden rounded off the scoring to inflict a fifth Premier League defeat on United in 10 games this season.
Evans and Harry Maguire, the starting centre-halves under Claude Puel at Leicester City five years ago, were a mismatch against Premier League top scorer Haaland, who has scored as many goals by himself - 11 - as United in the league this season.
Varane, 30, was instrumental in United's only derby victory in their last six but he was unused and Ten Hag maintained the selection of Evans was vindicated.
"They played very well, I think, the centre," Ten Hag explained. "With Onana they played a very good game. Just what I expected.
"You know there will come pressures and no one can actually be surprised. I said it from the beginning, I need the players on the left side who can make angles and also to step in and, especially against City, with the side they press us you have to step in to get the press on them and I think they did this very well."
Ten Hag bristled when he was asked to explain the tactical thinking behind Varane's demotion.
He said: "When you face City, they will go up to press and then to play with Rapha and Maguire over the left, that can give problems and then you end up only kicking long balls.
Denne historien er fra October 30, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 30, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Carsley's gamble backfires as his lopsided England side fail to inspire
LEE Carsley's chances of becoming Gareth Southgate's permanent successor as England boss received a major blow as Greece paid tribute to George Baldock with a historic 2-1 Nations League win.
SQUAD GOALS Right now, United don't have players to score enough
WHEN Erik ten Hag returns to Carrington next week, as he is now expected to do, he will try to find an upturn in performance that could prolong his stay in the United hot seat.
Haaland lends voice to growing fears over fixture list
‘IT'S STARTING TO BECOME AN AWFUL LOT OF MATCHES' ERLING HAALAND
'Predator' raped woman on bus
A 'DANGEROUS sexual predator' raped a vulnerable woman on the top deck of an X43 bus service to Manchester city centre.
Downing Street denies Rayner security 'snub'
ANGELA Rayner has been left out of the permanent membership of the UK's National Security Council (NSC), despite being Deputy Prime Minister.
Kate's hugs and thanks for 999 workers
THE Princess of Wales delivered hugs and a heartfelt \"thank you\" to the emergency workers called to the fatal Southport stabbings after meeting the children's bereaved families.
Milton brings misery
HURRICANE Milton brought misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene as it ploughed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, pounding cities with winds of over 100mph after producing a barrage of 150 tornadoes.
Towering vision of plans for new 44-storey skyscraper
NEW BLOCK WOULD BE OPPOSITE DEANSGATE LOCKS
Rapper Aitch refuses to mind his Ps and Qs
MOSTON MUSICIAN ALWAYS WANTS TO KEEP HIS 'MANCHESTER' SOUND
YouTuber jailed over vile rant outside asylum-seeker hotel
HOMELESS FORMER CHEF STIRRED UP RACIAL HATRED WITH LIVE BROADCAST WITH AUDIENCE OF OVER 30,000
