“Left the middle of the pitch open” – Man United star questions Erik ten Hag’s ‘naive’ approach after Fulham defeat

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire appeared to question Erik ten Hag’s naive approach after defeat against Fulham at Old Trafford.

United lost the game after Maguire scored a late equaliser. Alex Iwobi responded with a 97th-minute winner to dent Ten Hag’s top-four hopes.

It was a poor performance from United who were dreadful out of possession and gifted Fulham countless opportunities.

Maguire’s late finish provided a chance to potentially nick three points but after Ten Hag replaced Kobbie Mainoo with Amad Diallo, the Reds were even more open centrally than beforehand.

The English defender suggested that it was ‘naive’ to throw so many bodies forward, and it is an understandable stance considering the amount of times Fulham cut through the midfield all game.

“I thought the reaction was good, all the boys pushing, and we deserved the equaliser,” began Maguire.

“We went on and pushed all the pressure, but in the end, we’ve probably just thrown too many bodies forward and been a bit naive.

“We left the middle of the pitch open, and they punished us with a clinical counter-attack.”

Many supporters have also questioned the midfield at Old Trafford this season. Despite Mainoo being brilliant and Casemiro being highly rated, they are always cut through easily by many opponents.

United now sit eight points away from fourth-placed Aston Villa, who won against Nottingham Forest this weekend.