Not many players emerged from Man Utd’s draw against Sunderland with their reputation enhanced, but one who didn’t emerge at all has seen his stock soar.
After making five changes to the starting XI that beat Liverpool, Man Utd predictably struggled to find any rhythm against Sunderland.
They had Senne Lammens to thank for a goalless draw that could just as easily have been a brutal defeat, largely caused by squad players failing to take their chance.
It has caused one man who didn’t play against Sunderland to have his stock as high as it has ever been at Old Trafford.
Who was Manchester United’s man of the match vs Sunderland?
A first 0-0 of the season, but did anyone stand out for Michael Carrick's side?
Diogo Dalot’s absence makes his importance clear
Before the dropped points against Sunderland, Michael Carrick had lost just two games as Man Utd manager – vs Leeds and Newcastle.
In both those games, Diogo Dalot didn’t start, which is not much of a stat in itself, but it does provide a pattern that can’t be written off easily.
Against Sunderland, Noussair Mazraoui struggled immensely to match the physicality of the opposition, getting dragged everywhere and failing to make a mark offensively.
Dalot has gained a bit of a reputation for having brain-fade moments, but he’s largely a solid “7/10” player who is reliable and doesn’t make any serious errors.
Mazraoui felt like a soft touch Sunderland targeted repeatedly, and it just proved how well Dalot handles that right flank without getting much credit.
His presence is often derided in the team, but his absence made his importance clear.
After the losses to Leeds and Newcastle, the Sunderland draw proves that, despite getting so much criticism, this team is better off with Dalot starting.
Michael Carrick has a headache at Man Utd
Carrick’s decision to select Mazraoui for the Sunderland game is a promise fulfilled from his end, as he said players will get a chance to impress.
What is your verdict on Diogo Dalot’s 2025/26 season?
However, squad players struggling immensely after being given a chance present a headache to Carrick.
Sure, he would have been happy to see how much Dalot improves this team, but not at the cost of knowing that Mazraoui is a big downgrade on current form.
Next season, when United play more than 50 games, squad depth will come to the fore, and on the evidence of the Sunderland game, it isn’t looking so good right now.
From Mazraoui to Joshua Zirkzee, and Mason Mount to Manuel Ugarte, the drop-off in quality from the first-team to rotation players is immense.
Can it be sorted in one transfer window? It’s a bigger challenge than many would’ve thought before the Sunderland game.
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