Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has shocked Red Devils fans with a bold selection call in their Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
A mixed run of form since the start of the campaign has seen the Dutchman come in for major criticism, and they arrive at Villa Park on the back of another frustrating result, after drawing 3-3 at Porto in midweek.
The clash with Unai Emery's team has been billed a decisive in Ten Hag's fight to save his job at Old Trafford and the former Ajax chief has dramatically dropped his two starting centre-backs.
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Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt conceded three goals in Portugal and Ten Hag has opted to recall former club captain Harry Maguire and veteran Jonny Evans.
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The decision has caused huge pre-game debate for United fans with the duo not starting a Premier League game together this season.
Why has Ten Hag recalled Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans?
Ten Hag was asked about the reason for his call ahead of kickoff and the United boss claimed it was a simple matter of keeping his squad fresh.
"Rotation. We have so many games to cover, so we have to bring them all in, and of course, you also look at the opponent and what's needed for this game. For every game you make a choice", as per quotes from Sky Sports.
"They don't even raise this topic, not in the club, not in the team!"
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Erik ten Hag shares his thoughts ahead of Aston Villa vs Man United 💭 pic.twitter.com/YM8e1ycuz9
"There is always pressure, but there is no more pressure than in any other game. Porto was a very important game, Spurs was an important game, Crystal Palace, where we played very well, was an important game."
Maguire was the late hero in Porto, as he came of the bench to head home an equaliser, but he has not started an EPL game since the 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on August 24.
36-year-old Evans has not started a Premier League this season with just 12 minutes of top-flight action off the bench in 2024/25.
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans defensive record
With many United fans left scratching their heads on Ten Hag's decision, the data behind Maguire and Evans as a defensive pair is eye-catching, despite not being first choice.
The pair started the Community Shield together at the heart of United's defence, losing on penalties to Manchester City, after Bernardo Silva snatched a late 1-1 draw.
They both started the 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley on September 17 but this is their first Premier League game together since November 2023.
They completed a shutout in that game, as United won 1-0 at Fulham, as part of four EPL starts together in 2023/24.
Alongside a 3-0 home defeat to City, the duo started successive 2-1 wins over Sheffield United and Brentford.
Taking the City loss out of the equation, the Maguire-Evans partnership conceded less than one goal per game in the Premier League last season, which United fans will be hoping is a positive omen at Villa.
