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‘Absolute shambles’… ESPN pundit can’t believe Erik ten Hag started two Man United players yesterday
Steve Nicol has labelled Erik ten Hag’s decision to start Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire over Raphael Varane as an ‘absolute shambles’.
The pundit has been speaking on the podcast and can’t understand why Raphael Varane didn’t start against Bournemouth.
Manchester United fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeatꦺ to the Cherries at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Erik ten Hag’s men had put i▨n an encouraging display at home to Chelsea just days before but returned to old habits with a lacklustre performance against Andoni Iraola’s side.
United were completely outfought by Bournemouth and lacked the same energy they displayed against the Blue🍸s on Wednesday.
The Red Devils looked shaky at the back as Ten Hag opted for a centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
And Steve Nicol has questioned the Dutchman’s decision to leave Raphael Varane out of the side.
Nicol stunned by Ten Hag’s Varane decision
Speaking on ESPN FC, Nicol admitted he was stunned after seeing Anthony Mar🧜tial start from the off.
“They’re just a mess, they really are,” he said. “I’m like Craig when I saw Martial ri⛄ght off the bat🍸 I’m like what? This is a guy that should be nowhere near Manchester United.”
The pundit th💟en laid into Maguire and questioned Varane’s lack of minutes at United this season.
“You look at the backline,” Nicol went 🦩on. “I mean, Harry Maguire and Shaw as your centre-backs when you’ve got Varane on the bencಌh.
“What is going on behind the scenes with Varane? Can’t get a game ahead of Maguire, who cꦏan’t run anymore.
“The guy can’t turn. He can pass a ball but he can’t do anything, then you put Sha♑🎉w next to him. It’s an absolute shambles.”
Varane has struggled for starts at Uniꦕted this season after he was a mainstay last time out. The 31-year-old has played a total of 655 minutes this term, with Maguire rece🙈ntly coming back into the side.
Of course, United🐲 are also without Lisandro Martinez at the moment as th๊e defender is currently sidelined with a foot injury.
But it’s important to note that Ten Hag’s men picked up three wins from🗹 three games in the league last month, with Maguire named as the Premier League’s Playಞer of the Month.
Ten Hag also picked up the manager’s award after wins over Fulham,🍸 Luton and Evert🔜on.
Yet, United have struggled to find any kind of consistency this seasoꦗn and yesterday’s defeat will be a huge blow for the former Ajax boss.