Erik ten Hag reveals shock position change for Manchester United player Noussair Mazraoui

Erik ten Hag has confirmed Noussair Mazraoui will start in attacking midfield for Manchester United against Fenerbahce.

United have drawn their opening two games in the revamped Europa League league phase and need to secure their first win of the campaign in the competition on Thursday.

Familiar face Jose Mourinho, who was appointed as Fenerbahce boss in the summer, stands in the way of the victory and a hostile atmosphere is guaranteed in Istanbul.

Bruno Fernandes is suspended for the game and Mazraoui, a natural full-back, is set to start in attacking midfield alongside Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte, while Joshua Zirkzee has replaced Rasmus Hojlund, who has been named on the bench, in the starting line-up.

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Mazraoui has played 44 games in central midfield in his career, scoring seven goals, and Ten Hag explained the decision to start him in midfield when he spoke to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off.

"We have some injuries and a suspension with Bruno, so we had to be creative," said Ten Hag. "Also, we had some players who have a short turnaround to West Ham, so we've made some changes there and a different set-up, but not so much different because we want to keep consistency.

"Eriksen there, Mainoo as the No.6 and we bring Mazraoui into the No.10 position. I know him from before, sometimes played him there for Ajax, also playing him as a full-back, and also in our system he's playing in the half spaces, so he's capable of doing this job. He can do good pressing.

"We can see during the game what is needed, so we maybe go with him in another position and maybe if needed, he can play a more offensive position and it's also possible to bring Casemiro in."

Ten Hag continued: "Rasmus Hojlund is returning from a big injury and we have to build up his fitness. He's not up to 100 per cent speed but he will come. We want to avoid him getting injured again, so we spare him today, and Sunday [West Ham] is another big game.

"The atmosphere will be very loud, for sure, it will be hostile, for sure, but we know the style of the manager, playing counter-attacks and he can do that very good.

"We have to be prepared for it, read the game and play it smartly."