Manchester United can blame the referee for the defeat to Copenhagen but ultimately fault rests with the players.
Woeful defending in the final 10 minutes saw Manchester United give up a 3-2 lead to lose 4-3 to Copenhagen.
United have now conceded 11 goals in four Champions League matches. Silly, sloppy errors are costing us goals, and coming at crucial times in games.
Being reduced to 10 men with a red card given to Marcus Rashford did not help, but the team must look at themselves, and one defender has been singled out for criticism.
Diogo Dalot criticised
Diogo Dalot was criticised by Paul Scholes for losing his marker for Copenhagen’s equalising goal which tied the game at 3-3.
The same feelings emanated from the pundits on Manchester United’s in-house broadcaster MUTV, with Dalot’s role in the goal unavoidable.
Former striker Dion Dublin said: “Dalot has completely switched off. I was saying to Wes [Brown], his shoulders are pointing up the pitch, he’s not aware of the player behind him. You have to open yourself up.”
Ben Thornley was also unimpressed, noting in his post-match analysis: “Diogo Dalot just goes to sleep.”
Dalot poor defending a recurring theme
Diogo Dalot’s lack of concentration has become a theme in his defending over the past few weeks. He has been involved in some costly goals.
One was Galatasaray’s first half equaliser at Old Trafford when he was beaten to a bouncing ball by Wilfried Zaha, who nipped in front of him to score.
A week ago he was outpaced by Almiron for Newcastle’s opener in their Carabao Cup win, with a lack of alertness making him second best to win the ball.
Dalot’s resilience to stay fit when all of his other full-backs have been injured has been welcome, but there may be some burnout, mentally if not physically. His defending has become a problem, one of many for Erik ten Hag to try and solve.
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