Man Utd ace is undroppable in new role under Erik ten Hag, it gives him ‘different perspective’ on the pitch

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The state of affairs at Manchester United is only ever as good as the last result so things are a bit rosy after the 2-1 in vs Brentford at Old Trafford.

However, a tricky run of fixtures is approaching, with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce waiting to land a hit on Erik ten Hag, before a London double-header in the Premier League at West Ham United and welcoming Chelsea.

As fixtures come thick and fast, the need to rotate and use the full Man Utd squad will become paramount and some changes can be expected starting from the Fenerbahce game.

However, one player who is a lock to play in that one, just like he’s a lock to play in fixtures after it, is someone who has been unleashed this season.

In a new role on the pitch which has made him undroppable, the player is enjoying life at Old Trafford.

Diogo Dalot transformed in new role

It’s half-time vs Brentford and a familiar story is playing out at Old Trafford. Ten Hag is under pressure, events outside of their control go against the team, a silly goal is conceded and supporters are booing.

The international break provided no respite and there’s isn’t much hope that the second half will be much different.

However, in a departure from the usual, United come out in the second half like a team seeking vengeance, pinning Brentford back in their own half and squeezing the life out of them.

The result was two goals and a win that was even more comfortable than the scoreline suggested. However, not all of it was down to “passion” and “desire”.

Ten Hag’s big half-time tactical change vs Brentford got the ball rolling, which was to bring Diogo Dalot into the midfield as an inverted fullback.

That’s a role that he has played often this season but mainly when stationed on the left, from where he can come inside on his preferred right foot.

To do so from the right wing added another bow to his quality. The fullback has now revealed his thoughts on playing as an inverted fullback in an interview with the Man United website–

He said: “It brought me something different. A little bit of a different perspective on the pitch. As you know, and everybody who likes football knows, the game in midfield is a lot quicker than when you’re in the wide areas of the pitch. You always have someone close, you always have someone pressing you, so that makes me think a little bit faster.

“And it’s something that I’ve been enjoying doing; something that we found as a solution to our way of play. So as long as things are going well, as long as the manager keeps that trust, I will be open to do it.”

Dalot is undroppable now

The Portuguese has firmly laid to rest all suggestions that last year’s Player of the Year campaign was a flash in the pan or a “best among the worst” contest at Man United.

Yes, United suffered a lot of injuries and Dalot was reliable which alone made him a candidate but the truth is that when he played, he regularly dropped at least 7/10 performances.

His versatility in playing positions, flexibility in tactical roles, lack of injury-proneness, and elite mentality to improve himself have made him an undroppable at the club.

He has flourished as an overlapping and inverted fullback on the left and has now done the same on the right as well in a loud declaration of his qualities.

If he keeps this form up throughout this season, then the conversation should shift from ‘best fullback in the United squad’ to ‘one of the best in the world’.

The lack of team success is the only thing hindering that conversation from happening and it’s not for a lack of effort from Dalot.