Ruben Amorim unable to keep promise to “very important” Man Utd man, injured star is at fault

Ruben Amorim has been unable to keep his promise to one Manchester United man this season due to certain injuries within the squad.

Manchester United appointed Ruben Amorim in November last year after they sacked Erik ten Hag for a poor start to the campaign.

Amorim has faced extreme difficulties since taking the job, with one of the most prominent issues being the amount of injuries at Old Trafford.

What has been even more costly is the lack of a quality option at left wingback. Patrick Dorgu was signed in January to solve this but has been unavailable for the last three Premier League fixtures due to suspension.

Diogo Dalot has consistently been starting games and often on that left side. It is clear that his performance levels dip when operating in that position.

Amorim unable to keep promise to Dalot

Amorim was hugely complimentary of Dalot when he took charge at Old Trafford. The defender had been the club’s Player of the Year in the previous campaign.

However, the new United boss promised that he would rotate Dalot and give him rest as he is “not a machine” – he also claimed that he would try to put him on the right side more often even though he can play on both flanks.

“He is very powerful, we have to rotate him sometimes because he always looks fresh, but he is not like that, he is not a machine,” Amorim said of Dalot in November. “I think he plays better on the right and we will manage to put him on the right.

“He is a very good player, very powerful that can play both sides and nowadays, a player that can play on both sides is perfect because you can put him in different positions. I expect the same as last year that you saw.”

Since that point, Dalot has started 27 of the 28 games Amorim has managed – he was suspended for the home win over Southampton. He has started 15 of those games at left wingback.

The defender has only been substituted in that time once, against Arsenal in the FA Cup. He played 90 minutes on 26 occasions and 120 minutes against Fulham in the FA Cup.

Shaw’s absence at fault for Amorim’s failed promise

Amorim has been unable to keep his promise to Dalot simply due to the lack of alternative options. Luke Shaw is yet to start a game under the Portugese boss.

The English defender’s lack of fitness is a large reason behind Noussair Mazraoui and Dalot both having to play a ridiculous amount of football.

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For Dalot, that has led to extreme criticism despite the fact he has been overplayed and out of position. In recent games, he has looked improved on the right flank.

Now that Dorgu is back available in the Premier League, Amorim could finally start to offer Dalot some of that rotation that he promised. Meanwhile, Shaw’s return to the pitch remains unknown.

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