When Patrick Dorgu headed home in the 96th minute to complete Manchester United‘s stunning comeback in a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, it should have been a historic moment – one of the true great Old Trafford comebacks.
It should have left Michael Carrick doing his best impression of Jose Mourinho by beating his chest and sprinting towards the celebrations.
Instead, there was just one raised hand of acknowledgement from the Man United boss. There was no change of expression, no look of pure relief.
In fact, Carrick’s expression did not change, for Dorgu’s goal has simply kept INEOS’ grasp on his shoulders, dragging him down into the depths in which he continues to drown.
For the time being, the inevitable has been delayed, but that should not see certain stars escape some much-deserved criticism.
Diogo Dalot was a major weakness vs Aston Villa
If ever there was a player to sum up Man United’s downfall, it is Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese full-back entered his ninth season at Old Trafford back in August and it’s difficult to point out a time when he has convinced during almost a decade at the club.
Dalot is a complete representation of the Red Devils’ recruitment failure, as is Luke Shaw on the other side, be it under the Glazers or INEOS. If Man United wanted progress, then their biggest weaknesses would be eradicated rather than handed nine seasons to win over fans who have simply run out of patience.
|
Diogo Dalot vs Aston Villa |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
66 |
|
Penalties conceded |
1 |
|
Tackles |
2 |
|
Ground duel success |
3/7 |
Dalot’s performance against Aston Villa was arguably his worst of the season so far.
He could not get close to Alysson, who gladly scored the opening goal after just two minutes, before skipping past the Portuguese to earn a penalty to help initially restore his side’s lead in the second half.
Carrick came out in defence of his defender at full-time, but even he cannot deny that work rate does not equal the quality that Man United so desperately need right now.
Why Man Utd must drop Dalot ASAP
What did not help Dalot’s case against Aston Villa was the performance of Dorgu. The man who took the former’s place went on to become the hero of the hour when he nodded home at the death to level things up.
It gives Carrick a clear decision to make. If he’s still in a job by the time Anfield comes calling after the international break, then Dorgu must be restored at left-back, leaving Dalot to settle for a place on the bench.
It’s a move which has been coming for some time. No matter the man in the technical area, be it Ruben Amorim, Erik ten Hag or now Carrick, Dalot has rarely convinced. Simply put, a player who has been a liability for this long should have been ditched years ago.
Had INEOS signed a left-back in the summer, then they may not have had this issue right. In competition with someone like Lewis Hall, Dalot would rightly be a fringe player. Instead, he is one of several consistent starters failing to earn their place.
Sadly for United, he’s not the only problem at the back right now.
Alongside Dalot: £52m flop looks finished at Man Utd
Of course, all the blame isn’t just on Dalot. As much as some fans may believe that’s the case, it is very much not. There are several stars who are coasting in a side they no longer belong. In some ways, it’s not even their own fault, either. INEOS’ recruitment has left them stranded just as much as it has Carrick.
One of those struggling to stay afloat as the choppy waves of life at modern-day Man United surround the players is Leny Yoro. Once a young £52m defender destined for great things, he now looks as though he is drowning under the pressure at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman’s struggles are a consequence of Man United’s recruitment failure. They took a young defender and threw him in the deep end, asking the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire to teach him how to swim. It’s no wonder he has struggled and no wonder that he made yet another mistake against Aston Villa.
Yoro will be looking across at rival clubs and wondering where things went wrong. He will see Jeremy Jacquet thriving at Liverpool and look at how William Saliba has fared after trading Ligue 1 for England.
Thy took an almost-identical path to the Premier League as Yoro, but have instantly settled. Jacquet largely owes thanks to Van Dijk. Yoro has never had his own Van Dijk or as Abdukodir Khusanov had at Manchester City, Ruben Dias.
Former LOSC Lille boss Paulo Fonseca once claimed that the 20-year-old could become one of the best defenders in Europe. He wasn’t wrong. That potential is still there. The environment, however, is not.
“He will be one of the best central defenders in France and probably Europe.”
For his own sake, Yoro must seek pastures new. It’s clear United is not the right place for a young and raw talent to develop.
