The agony of defeat is a feeling that’s all too familiar for Manchester United fans, and Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League only added to the anguish. But it wasn’t just the final score that left fans feeling frustrated and helpless, it was the performance of one player in particular, Diogo Dalot, that drew the ire of the faithful.
The 25-year-old right-back had a woeful outing, failing to make a meaningful impact on the game despite having 58 touches and maintaining a pass accuracy of 88%. His inability to produce a decisive pass or create a scoring opportunity was exacerbated by his propensity to lose possession, committing 10 turnovers throughout the 90 minutes. His two shots off target only served to further highlight his lack of composure in front of goal.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment and disillusionment with Dalot’s showing, many calling for him to be dropped from the starting lineup. “When Dalot plays, he doesn’t do anything on the pitch. We are playing with 10 men,” one fan tweeted, while another simply stated, “I think it’s high time we talk about Dalot at this point.”
The criticism didn’t stop there, with many questioning Dalot’s ability to perform under pressure, citing his tendency to struggle against top-class opposition. “Dalot offers nothing to this team. NOTHING,” one fan wrote, while another posted, “Get rid of Dalot please.” The sentiment was echoed by several others, who felt that Dalot’s lack of confidence and accountability was hindering the team’s progress.
But Dalot wasn’t the only one to come under scrutiny, with Manchester United’s overall performance raising more questions than answers. Head coach Ruben Amorim admitted that the team requires more training sessions to improve their set piece defending, an area that Arsenal exploited to devastating effect.
Meanwhile, Dalot’s lack of contribution to the game was a stark contrast to his teammates, who managed to create scoring opportunities despite being pegged back for much of the match. The Portuguese full-back’s failure to make an impact on the game only served to further highlight the gulf in class between Manchester United’s attack and their defense.
As the team continues to struggle, fans will be looking for answers, and Dalot’s form will undoubtedly be under the microscope. Can the 25-year-old rediscover his mojo and help Manchester United turn their season around, or will his lack of composure and accountability continue to hold the team back? Only time will tell.
