Nothing will delight football spectators more than seeing a player deployed in an unconventional position - Harry Maguire having been the latest to play a somewhat unorthodox role for Manchester United.
The Red Devils captain was deployed in Erik ten Hag ’s attack against Real Sociedad after being introduced as a substitute and but for a fleeting moment, was one half of an attacking duo alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
The image of the defender attempting to navigate the Real Sociedad defence was certainly a sight to behold. Take a look at some of the most infamous defenders - or indeed goalkeepers - who turned strikers over the past few decades:
Harry Maguire vs Real Sociedad
It was certainly an intriguing move for Ten Hag to deploy the former Leicester City star up-front in Spain. There was a simple explanation though, according to the Dutchman.
Speaking after the tie, he suggested that Maguire’s aerial prowess could have been a potent weapon as United attempted to find the goal that they needed to top the group.
He said: "[It's] clear [why Maguire went upfront]: we needed the goal and then we went more opportune. With Cristiano and Harry Maguire, you have two good headers and we tried to go more direct into the box and I think we did several times, quicker to get into the box for the opponent."
It did not work as intended though as the Red Devils only had four shots on target throughout the entire game.
What did you make of Erik ten Hag's decision to play Harry Maguire as a striker? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Steven Caulker vs Arsenal
From one English centre-back to another, with Jurgen Klopp also going down a somewhat questionable route following Liverpool ’s loan acquisition of Queens Park Rangers defender Steven Caulker.
With the Reds chasing an equaliser against Arsenal, the ex-Tottenham man was introduced to bolster the attack and it actually worked, with Joe Allen firing in a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw.
Caulker expressed his surprise at Klopp’s tactical move after the game. “I was shocked, I thought the gaffer was joking when he said it (go up front),” he said.
“With only four or five minutes to go we had to go for it and it paid off. It was an exciting five or six minutes. I was delighted to get on the pitch and help rescue a point. It has been a bit of a roller-coaster but the adrenaline dragged me through.”
Nathaniel Phillips vs Burnley
There appears to be somewhat of a dynasty of Liverpool defenders transforming into strikers with Nat Phillips having done the same last term.
During his loan spell at Bournemouth, he was part of a side that found themselves 1-0 down to Blackpool heading into the final throes of the game. Phillips was moved slightly further up the pitch and it was a move that paid off handsomely as goals from Jamal Lowe and Siriki Dembele secured a dramatic victory for the Cherries.
Then boss Scott Parker said at the time: "We've made numerous changes during the second half and it's [Phillips playing as striker] worked, but there's loads of times it doesn't and that's the way it is sometimes."
Steve Walsh vs Derby County
Going somewhat back in time with this one before the club’s Premier League and FA Cup heroics, Leicester were attempting to plot a route into the top-flight back in 1994.
They were set to meet East Midlands rivals Derby County in the playoff final at the Old Wembley. Walsh, normally a centre-back, was selected to start up-front and with it, was handed the number nine shirt.
It was not a position that was unfamiliar to the defender but he arguably had his greatest performance for the Foxes on the day. He scored twice throughout the game to seal promotion to the Premier League in what was the club’s first venture into the top-flight since its reformation.
Gary Doherty
Potentially somewhat of a cheat, Irish defender Doherty played regularly as a forward throughout his career having done so with Luton Town and during his early days with Tottenham Hotspur.
His best goalscoring season at White Hart Lane came in 2000/01 as he found the back of the net on six occasions in all competitions. Injury issues constantly plagued his career in North London and he then went on to represent the likes of Norwich City, Charlton Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers before retiring in 2014.
David James vs Middlesbrough
Away from defenders, David James probably stands out as one of the most intriguing names to be deployed as a striker in the Premier League. With Manchester City taking on Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2004/05 season, they needed a draw to secure their place in the UEFA Cup.
James - with his own number one outfield shirt - was sent into attack with just two minutes of normal time remaining. Infamously, £5m striker Jon Macken was bizarrely left on the bench in place of the England stopper.
Stuart Pearce’s decision almost paid off as City were awarded a late penalty but Robbie Fowler saw his effort stopped by Mark Schwarzer.
Speaking to The Athletic about his brief spell as a forward, James said: "I've spoken to Pearcey about it a few times since, and he's said that he anticipated that I would play as a target man, so we could put it in the mixer, but I think I played more as a No 10; I didn't know where I was supposed to be.
"Had I been told the day before that there was any chance, I would have stayed around for an extra hour at the end of training and just practised everything that I would have needed to do as an outfield player."
Jorge Campos
Another goalkeeper - but someone slightly more familiar to the position - ex-Mexican international Campos is probably more well known for his eye-catching shirt designs.
Whilst his talents between the sticks cannot be doubted, most might not know that he forged a prolific career as a forward. During his time with Mexican club UNAM, he requested to be used as a striker having fallen behind Adolfo Rios in the goalkeeping pecking order. It appeared to be a genius decision as Campos netted on 14 occasions throughout the campaign.
He was at the heart of a ‘David James style’ switch later in his career with Atlante in the 1997 season. Having started in goal, he was moved further upfield with another stopper being introduced.
That certainly paid off with Campos netting an eye-catching bicycle kick.
