Former Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones was a studio pundit for Sky Sports for the team’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Now retired centre-back Phil Jones is working as a pundit along with having a coaching role in Manchester United’s academy.
At the weekend he was analysing the team’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, and was a lot more coherent than Jamie Redknapp.
Jones was quick to praise a tactical move from Erik ten Hag which led to a dominant opening 45 minutes at Selhurst Park.
Diogo Dalot helped United ‘overload’
Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot inverted into midfield when in possession and added an extra option.
Phil Jones broke down Dalot’s contribution, commenting: “Dalot is coming inside as a number six almost and controlling the game from there.
“United have been really good in possession, created a good amount of chances. With Dalot coming inside they’re creating overloads.
“At times you had Mainoo playing as a 10 and Diogo playing in Mainoo’s position. Those were the overloads they were creating.
“As we said, Palace really couldn’t get to grips with that in the first half.”
Manchester United created the majority of the chances in the game in the first half, hitting the bar twice, and forcing saves out of former academy goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Palace clung on, and made a double change to combat United’s tactics, taking off striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and bringing on winger Ismaila Sarr.
The more combative Jefferson Lerma also came on in midfield for Adam Wharton, while Will Hughes replaced striker Eddie Nketiah on 66 minutes, which was when the game began to turn.
United ended up hanging on a little, with Andre Onana making a key double save, and United rueing not scoring in the first half.
Dalot’s influence
Diogo Dalot created three goalscoring chances in the draw at Palace, more than any player on the pitch.
He completed 92 per cent of his passes in total, while also contributing defensively with two clearances, one interception and eight ball recoveries, and won six duels.
Dalot is playing out of position at left-back due to Luke Shaw’s injury, and the England ace may find it tricky to get back into the side.
With Noussair Mazraoui an asset on the right, the way Dalot is doing a job for the team by inverting into midfield is evidently an important part of the way Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff want to play.
Dalot’s contribution to United’s performance was important, and the team really should have won the game. A big performance is needed at home to Tottenham next week.
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