Manchester United have had a discouraging start to their Premier League campaign after making a successful opening against Leicester City but then following it up with defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur. However Jose Mourinho’s men came back from this depressing turn of form against Burnley with a 2-0 victory. One of the problem areas for Mourinho has been the right-back position with Antonio Valencia missing out in the first two matches of the season.
Everchanging Right-Backs: Cause Of Mourinho’s Recent Misery?
Mourinho opted for Matteo Darmian in the first game against the Foxes and then deployed Ashley Young as a makeshift right-back against the Seagulls. The last gameweek saw the return of Valencia but he wasn’t able to help his team get a result on Monday night. It is one of the many problems that the Special One needs to address in his squad.
Valencia is not getting any younger. At the age of 33, the South American might have a few years left in his tank. However, he is clearly not capable enough to start on a weekly basis.
Diogo Dalot: A Potential Solution?
One player United could look to rely upon is their new summer recruit, Diogo Dalot. The youngster is slowly working his way back to full fitness. Mourinho was in attendance when Dalot featured for the Red Devils Under-23 team in their 1-0 victory over the Stoke City Under-23 side. It was the Portuguese starlet’s first game since his injury when he came off the bench after the 77th minute.
Is Dalot The Ideal Answer For Mourinho?
Dalot arrived from FC Porto earlier this summer but is yet to make a first-team appearance under Mourinho. He is highly versatile and primarily plays as a right-back but can also fill in as a left-back which makes him an ideal asset for the Red Devils.
The 19-year-old had already made eight first-team appearances for FC Porto before his big switch to England. He also has some Champions League experience under his belt. Mourinho should look to slowly incorporate him in the United senior team as an understudy to Antonio Valencia.
The Portuguese wonderkid boasts good pace and shows a lot of aggression while dribbling with the ball. Dalot is quite attack-minded and could be nurtured into a future star in English football. However, he still needs to work on his defensive game while he also has a bad habit of giving away the ball with his wayward passes.
Can The Portuguese Teenager Be A Worthy Successor To Valencia?
There is no doubt that Dalot has incredible potential and could fill Valencia’s shoes at Old Trafford in a few years’ time. However, for the time being, he might not be the answer to solve United’s defensive crisis, and Mourinho should look elsewhere if he wants a change in fortunes.
