November 11th 2023.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been ruled out of Manchester United's game against Luton due to illness, leaving the Londoner unable to continue his recent return to the side. The former Crystal Palace star had recently featured in the full 90 minutes against Fulham and Copenhagen in the last seven days.
Erik ten Hag has explained the decision to MUTV, saying "Aaron is ill, so we have to make a change, but that's how it is. They know the rules and the principles. Now they have to show it on the pitch."
Diogo Dalot will take over the right-back role with Sergio Reguilon returning to the side at left-back. Victor Lindelof has been given the nod to replace the injured Jonny Evans in United's other change at the back, despite Raphael Varane coming off the bench in the midweek defeat to FC Copenhagen.
Ten Hag spoke on Friday, suggesting there has been no falling out between him and Varane, underlining the importance of effective partnerships in his defence as the reason behind his lack of starts. He stated "Absolutely not. As I said, it is about tactical reasons why I chose these partnerships. I think Harry and Jonny did well."
The World Cup winner has been left out due to tactical reasons, as Ten Hag believes the pairing of Varane and Maguire is not "fluid enough for his system". Ten Hag continued to explain, "There are moments in certain games where they can play together and they have already proven they can do it...But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position...Because I think Licha, obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed, but they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles. Then you can construct a better formation where you can start to play."
It now remains to be seen how Man Utd could line up against Luton, and whether Raphael Varane will return for the game. It's clear that Ten Hag has high expectations of his defence and who they should be partnering up with in order to create an effective formation.
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