Diogo Dalot is not a wingback and the sooner Ruben Amorim understands this, the better for Man United

Diogo Dalot is Not a Wingback – Ruben Amorim Must Realize This for Manchester United’s Sake

Manchester United staged a thrilling second-half comeback against Everton, salvaging a hard-fought point at Goodison Park on Saturday. Yet, while the result showcased resilience, it also exposed glaring tactical weaknesses—particularly on the right flank.

From the opening whistle, Everton displayed far greater hunger, winning second balls, dominating physical duels, and putting United on the back foot. The Red Devils, by contrast, appeared overwhelmed, lacking both structure and urgency. Manager Ruben Amorim could only watch in frustration as his team faltered in the first half.

Among the most concerning performances was that of Diogo Dalot. Despite being deployed as a wingback, the Portuguese international struggled significantly—once again proving that this role simply does not suit him. The sooner Amorim acknowledges this, the better it will be for Manchester United’s future.

Dalot’s Struggles Persist on Both Flanks

When Amorim initially positioned Dalot on the left, the assumption was that his underwhelming displays were due to playing out of position. However, even after being shifted back to his preferred right side, his struggles have continued.

His lapse in judgment directly contributed to Everton’s opener. Rather than clearing a dangerous ball into the box, he attempted to control it with his thigh, leading to a chaotic sequence that ended with Beto punishing United’s defensive frailties. This moment encapsulated his indecisiveness, a recurring issue in his game.

Offensively, Dalot was equally ineffective. Despite operating as a wingback, he failed to deliver a single cross throughout the match, in stark contrast to Patrick Dorgu, who attempted four from the opposite flank. While Dorgu took on defenders with confidence, Dalot often resorted to cautious back-passes, evidenced by his high but misleading 91% pass completion rate. The numbers don’t lie—zero crosses, zero dribbles, zero shots. For a player expected to create width and supply attacking momentum, these statistics are alarming.

United’s Right Flank Needs Reinforcements

In Amorim’s tactical setup, wingbacks are expected to push high, stretch the opposition, and provide attacking width. Unfortunately, Dalot does not fit this mold. He is neither defensively solid nor an attacking threat, leaving United exposed on the right flank.

If Manchester United are serious about competing at the highest level, addressing this weakness must be a priority. Dalot may have his strengths as a traditional full-back, but as a wingback in Amorim’s system, he simply does not belong. It is time for the manager to recognize this and seek reinforcements before it costs the team valuable points in the future.