September 30th 2024.
The match between Manchester United and Tottenham was a disaster for the former, leaving fans and critics alike disappointed and frustrated. While no player could escape criticism for their lackluster performance, it was Diogo Dalot who bore the brunt of the backlash. The full-back's role in Tottenham's opening goal was deemed "criminal," "unthinkable," and "indefensible."
The game was barely three minutes old when United found themselves trailing by a goal. It was a result of some weak pressing from Marcus Rashford, allowing Micky van de Ven to pick up the ball in his own half. The Dutchman then went on a stunning run, breezing past four United players to set up Brennan Johnson, who had the freedom of the box to tap it in.
Replays showed that Dalot had failed to track Johnson's run into the box, seemingly giving up on the edge of his own box. While other United players like Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, and Matthijs de Ligt were also unable to deal with van de Ven's surge, it was Dalot who came under the most scrutiny. As Danny Murphy pointed out on Match of the Day 2, Dalot's reaction was "the worst part of this goal." The former United right-back was baffled by Dalot's lack of effort and position when Johnson scored.
Even Danny Simpson, another former United player, was taken aback by Dalot's lack of awareness and positioning. He called it "criminal" and insisted that Dalot should have done better in recovering and defending Johnson's run. The hand-wringing and apologies from Dalot after the goal were not enough to appease the critics. Tim Howard, another former United star, accused Dalot of quitting on the play, saying that he could have easily caught up to Johnson if he had put in more effort.
The disappointment and frustration were evident all over the pitch, with players and fans alike left searching for answers. Dalot, who has been a regular at left-back this season, has been filling in for the injured Luke Shaw. However, his performance against Tottenham has raised questions about his suitability for the position. With Manchester United's reputation on the line, it is important for every player to give their all, and Dalot's lackluster effort was deemed inexcusable by many.
In the end, it was a disastrous defeat for Manchester United, and the inquests have already begun. The team will have to regroup and do some soul-searching to bounce back from this defeat. Fans and critics will be watching closely to see how Dalot and the rest of the team respond in the next game. As for now, it's back to the drawing board for Manchester United.
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