Ruben Amorim has made some tough calls in his three months at the helm of Manchester United and while it’s natural that not all will pay off, the cultural rest was much needed.
The reset had its biggest addition in the form of Marcus Rashford’s exit, who was away from the squad since the Manchester derby,
Ruben Amorim rotated the team a lot initially to get an idea of what he had at his disposal and that rotation shrunk further and further with a clear picture of his ideal XI visible now.
However, since the very first day, there has been one outfielder who has been untouchable at the club but his form has been a real worry. A change is finally coming.
Ruben Amorim’s unconditional backing of Diogo Dalot
Perhaps it’s his versatility, his availability, or his professionalism, but Diogo Dalot has been the one untouchable in the Man Utd squad under Amorim.
Even Andre Onana is having to fend off unexpected competition from Altay Bayindir between the sticks, and Bruno Fernandes has been subbed off on occasion.
However, in Dalot, Amorim has one player who has played in every game he’s been available for, either from the start or coming on at half-time on one occasion.
Dalot has played 3,072 minutes of football already. For context, Luke Shaw has played 1,278 minutes of football across the last two seasons, including this one.
The Portuguese defender has covered both the wings as per Amorim’s requirement but the uneasy fit is clear every time he plays, much to the frustration of Man Utd fans.
He’s become a victim of his own versatility, with his availability making him a shoo-in for every game in a role that brings out his worst qualities and hides his best ones.
Patrick Dorgu’s arrival will help Dalot
Dalot is learning the wing-back role but is having to do so while there’s no clarity on his position, sometimes switching wings even midway through a game.
With Patrick Dorgu’s arrival, he’s expected to get that clarity because Dorgu will be the undisputed first-choice left wing-back, thereby shifting Dalot to the right.
Dalot can overlap and bomb down the wing to provide crosses, sometimes even for Dorgu, who has the attacking instinct from his days as a winger.
More importantly, Noussair Mazraoui and Dalot can rotate on the right to give Dalot much-needed rest because his availability has led him to get overused.
Dorgu’s arrival means both boxes will be ticked for Dalot – back on his preferred side and the chance to get some rest for the odd game.
Amorim’s most dependable player was in a thankless position and struggling, but he’s the biggest beneficiary of the January window. A change is coming for his betterment.
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