Erik ten Hag has suggested that Victor Lindelof could be a capable option in midfield following Manchester United's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
Following a serious ankle injury to Christian Eriksen, Ten Hag swooped to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on loan for the remainder of the season. But the Austrian was unavailable to face Forest, and with Scott McTominay injured, it gave the Dutchman a chance to do something different.
Swedish centre-back Lindelof came on for Casemiro in that defensive midfield role for the final 10 minutes at Old Trafford and impressed during his cameo on the pitch. Lindelof successfully completed all five of his passes and looked comfortable in the base of the midfield alongside Fred.
Ten Hag had suggested before the Forest game that Lisandro Martinez could fill in for Eriksen. But it was Lindelof that stepped into midfield and Ten Hag says the Swede's 'education' in the position means he can play there.
"Lindelof was educated as a six, as a controlling, holding midfielder in Benfica," said Ten Hag. "So I know he can do that and we already tried it before in training and maybe in one game. But also I sometimes want my centre-halves playing in midfield positions so that we create dynamics. So it’s just to construct more dynamics in the team."
United comfortably booked their place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley with a 5-0 aggregate win as Anthony Martial and Fred both struck on the night in Manchester. The Red Devils will now face Newcastle in their first domestic final since 2017 after they beat Southampton in this competition.
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Meanwhile, Lindelof wasn't the only player to play in a different position as to what they are used to, with Fernandes filling in on the right-wing following Jadon Sancho's introduction. The latter slotted into the No.10, with Fernandes moving out onto the right as he is "really effective" in a number of positions.
"It was one thought about, but also to bring a different dynamic in the team, I wanted to see how that works, we brought Bruno more times before in the wide position," Ten Hag said.
"I think it’s difficult to anticipate it when you first have to deal with Antony, then you bring a semi-wide player there, it’s difficult to anticipate, Bruno is really effective but I want to see the combination with Jadon and Anthony Martial, we’ve seen a different dynamic, that can help us and give us more opportunities in the future."
Fernandes scored the third goal for United in their first-leg win at The City Ground to all but secure their place in the final that is set to take place on Sunday, February 26.
