After overseeing Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, Rúben Amorim praised one star who has had many underwhelming performances this season.
Manchester United completed an impressive comeback on Sunday, earning a 2–1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace thanks to second-half goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.
Both teams threatened early, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Casemiro going close within the first ten minutes as the intense South London sunshine made conditions challenging. Palace soon took control and were awarded a penalty after Leny Yoro brought down Mateta in the box.
Mateta’s initial spot-kick was disallowed for a double touch, but he converted the retake with confidence. The hosts continued to push forward, while United struggled to establish any rhythm before halftime.
After the break, United returned with greater intent and drew level through Zirkzee. The Dutch striker brought down a Bruno Fernandes free kick on his chest, spun sharply and fired past Dean Henderson from a tight angle.
With half an hour remaining, a well-rehearsed set-piece routine allowed Mount to put United ahead. Palace committed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, but Rúben Amorim’s side defended with discipline to secure a valuable three points.
Amorim highlights Diogo Dalot’s performance
The left wing-back position has been one that has caused frustration for Amorim, not being able to replicate the success that Amad and Bryan Mbeumo have been able to enjoy down the right.
Speaking after the game, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, Amorim was pleased by the Portuguese right-back’s performance, and when asked as to whether Dalot’s display was the benchmark for a player in that role, he said: “It’s of course defending and attacking. If you have certain characteristics, the pace, you can go right or left because you also can play with your left.
“You need to use that in every single game in the Premier League and not just one game, and then we drop a little bit the level. But it’s the same thing that I said with Patrick [Dorgu].
“I know they have a lot of quality. They just need to be relaxed sometimes and show that and show the intensity and the pace that they have.”
Dalot not a good fit for Amorim’s setup
Under previous manager Erik ten Hag, Dalot thrived, regularly inverting to become more of a midfielder, also picking up Man Utd’s Player’s Player of the Year after his impressive performances in the 2023/24 season.
Under Amorim, Dalot is asked to do the opposite of what he thrives at doing, having to always stay wide to provide another option in the build-up of play.
Read More: Bruno Fernandes explains “very important” unnoticed boost vs Crystal Palace, Diogo Dalot agrees
Amorim seemingly agrees with Dalot’s critics, saying in a recent interview that Man Utd “should have an Amad with the right foot to put on the other side”, a clear sign of his frustrations with his current left wing-back options.
With Lisandro Martinez’s return to the side, it is expected that Luke Shaw will displace Dalot out on the left, and the Englishman could be the answer that Amorim has been desperate to find.
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