Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot, who scored the winner against Sheffield United, has explained a rather odd decision made by Erik ten Hag during the game.
With the scoreline at 0-0, 20 minutes into the game, Andre Onana seemed to pull up with an injury for Manchester United and lay stricken on the floor for the Red Devils.
However, after receiving treatment, the goalkeeper seemed fine seconds later but this gave Erik ten Hag the time he needed to pull rank with his United team struggling.
Diogo Dalot has now explained what was said amongst the team as Onana was receiving treatment for an injury he seemingly didn’t have.
Dalot on team talk
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News after the game, Dalot, who was superb, has opened up about what was said during this impromptu team talk.
“It was a good opportunity for us to adapt a little bit because we were not in the right positions,” Dalot said, “especially without the ball, we had to sort it out quickly. I think we did that straightaway after he called us over.
“This is the type of opportunity that we have to take, sometimes during the game, it’s difficult for the manager to get to 11 players but unfortunately with Andre going down we found a way to speak to him.”
United’s game management
It’s quite clear that the whole sequence involving Onana was seemingly just needed to try and calm the team down and give out some much-needed instruction as the hosts began to take control of the game.
Just minutes after the team talk Scott McTominay, despite completing just 8 passes, scored the opener for United, so it’s fair to say that the words of wisdom by the former Ajax boss paid off.
United need to utilise this more often, too many times during games the Red Devils seemed overwhelmed, particularly on an away day, slowing down the play and allowing Ten Hag to talk to his place can only help going forward.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
