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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Three CBs in starting XI</li><li>Evans or Martinez to play at LB</li><li>Ten Hag under pressure to get a win</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Jonny Evans at left-back?!' Man Utd fans mystified by Erik ten Hag's line-up for Brentford clash as THREE centre-backs start

Europa League

Viktoria Plzen

Manchester United

<p>Erik ten Hag had to scramble together a defence against the Bees due to the absences of Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, leaving fans guessing as to who would be playing at left-back.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>United fan <a href="https://x.com/TerfaTG/status/1847620503856402923" target="_blank">TerfaTG</a> wrote on X: "No Amad. No party. That front three don’t hold the ball up enough. The manager never learns."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/utdcynical/status/1847623138579787794" target="_blank">Utdcynical</a> concluded that 36-year-old Evans was drafted in as an emergency full-back.  "Jonny Evans at left back" they wrote, with two crying emojis.</p><p>Fellow Red Devils' supporter <a href="https://x.com/Utdjacobi_/status/1847620318627569750" target="_blank">Utdjacobi</a>_ wrote: "What did Harry Amass do to offend Erik ten Hag?"</p><p>Another dismayed supporter, <a href="https://x.com/bayonuels" target="_blank">bayonuels</a>, added: "This line up confirms that ten Hag is too scared to be dynamic. Possibly Martinez playing in left back when we can play 3 at the back with high flying wing backs or even be more daring and pair Zirkzee with Hojlund in a 4-4-2. Anyways, all the best to the team!"</p><p>The official account of the <a href="https://x.com/NorthernIreland" target="_blank">Northern Ireland team</a> was pleased to see their former international Evans included in the team. "Evans masterclass pending," they wrote.</p>

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

<p>Ten Hag desperately needs a victory to ease the pressure on him after United won just two of their opening seven Premier League games, heading into the game in 13th in the table. He survived the international break, during which <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/thomas-tuchel-named-england-manager-ex-chelsea-bayern-munich-boss-oversee-bid-2026-world-cup-glory/bltfa32673f01069cf5" target="_blank">England appointed Thomas Tuchel</a>, who was a serious candidate to replace the Dutchman in the summer.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-erik-ten-hag-thomas-tuchel-mauricio-pochettino-brentford-thomas-frank-ineos/blt632dfa30470b6be0" target="_blank">Brentford boss Thomas Frank is admired by INEOS</a> and is also believed to have spoken to United. And if the Dane can mastermind another victory over the Red Devils after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/erik-ten-hag-most-humiliating-moments-man-utd-manager/blt2870de2ca8361c3a" target="_blank">the 4-0 battering in Ten Hag's debut campaign</a>, his chances of eventually taking over at Old Trafford will rise.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Jonny Evans at left-back?!' Man Utd fans mystified by Erik ten Hag's line-up for Brentford clash as THREE centre-backs start | Goal.com English Bahrain

Jonny Evans was named in a makeshift Manchester United back four against Brentford - provoking howls of derision online.