Diogo Dalot was back in the Manchester United side for the first time since June.
Amid reported interest from AC Milan [Di Marzio], this was both a chance for Dalot to convince manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to pick him more often, and to put himself in the shop window.
Dalot’s performance was mixed, as you might expect from a player performing in his first competitive game in months.
The positives
Dalot showed enough in the second half to be positive about after a fairly uneventful first 45 minutes.
He was desperately unlucky not to score and provide an assist as United took control of the game.
Dalot put in an inch-perfect cross for substitute Paul Pogba which the Frenchman headed narrowly wide of the post.
The moments later Donny Van de Beek put Dalot in on goal, only for his close range shot to be blocked by the goalkeeper.
With a bit more composure Dalot could have scored, but this was promising.
Just to be getting into these forward positions was a good sign and Dalot’s attacking intent was good to see.
The negatives
The big question mark over Dalot is whether he is good enough defensively.
Dalot was caught out of position on more than one occasion and Eric Bailly had to step across and cover.
He made just one tackle and no interceptions, and needs to be stronger at the back and just generally more alert.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka did not have the best game himself against Brighton days earlier, and Dalot should be cut some slack due to this, and his own rustiness.
The issue for Dalot is that he did not do enough to displace Wan-Bissaka for this weekend, and with the international break upcoming, he could face another month’s wait until his next United game. This will in turn do him no favours.
Reaction
Dalot’s performance prompted a split reaction. Here is a cross section of views…
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