MANCHESTER UNITED fans have called Erik ten Hag a “GENIUS” for his tactical masterstroke against Leeds.
That’s after “pulling a Marouane Fellaini” to seal a huge 2-0 win at Elland Road.
United came close to defeat against Leeds on Wednesday as they fought back for a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
And Sunday’s rematch also looked to be heading for a stalemate with the score 0-0 after 80 minutes.
However, Ten Hag ended up reaping the rewards of a tactical re-jig earlier in the half.
In the 61st minute, he shuffled his pack by deploying 6ft 6in loan striker Wout Weghorst as an emergency No10.
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This allowed Marcus Rashford to move into a central forward role, with sub Alejandro Garnacho taking up his preferred position on the left.
And with just 10 minutes remaining, Rashford headed home a peach of a goal to give his side the lead.
But United weren’t finished yet as Garnacho made sure of the result with a strike soon after.
The result saw Ten Hag’s side leapfrog Man City into second place.
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And supporters were left gushing over the decision to move Weghorst into a deeper role.
Indeed, fans still fondly remember the days that 6ft 4in Belgian ace Fellaini was regularly deployed in the same position.
Former United bosses David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho loved having a big target man between the lines of midfield and attack.
And many took to Twitter hailing Ten Hag’s inspirational switch after bagging all three points.
One declared: “Ten Hag pulled a Fellaini when Wout Weghorst played as a 10.”
Another cried: “Weghorst as a 10 was a masterpiece by Ten Hag, the boy’s energy is phenomenal.”
One yelled: “Credit to Ten Hag for a genius tweak to play Weghorst as a 10, who would have thought it will be the key to beat Leeds?”
Another added: “Even Guardiola didn’t know Weghorst can play 10, Rashford 9 and Garnacho left makes a good combination.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
