Once hailed as a hero by Erik ten Hag during his Manchester United tenure, the player is now turning into an unforeseen challenge for Ruben Amorim. His current performances or circumstances have shifted from being an asset to potentially causing managerial difficulties for Amorim’s strategies.
Manchester United secured a second consecutive European comeback with a narrow 2-1 victory over Plzen in Czechia, moving closer to securing direct qualification in the Europa League. While the result was crucial, the performance left much to be desired. Goalkeeper Andre Onana’s error once again proved costly, as United found themselves trailing shortly after half-time. Despite dominating possession, the team struggled to pose any real threat until late in the game.
The turning point came through Ruben Amorim’s substitutions, with Rasmus Hojlund stealing the headlines with a decisive brace. Complementing his efforts were the clever contributions of Mason Mount and Antony, who added much-needed energy to the side. However, while the substitutes’ impact was celebrated, it highlighted a deeper concern: the starting XI underperformed for much of the match.
Among the starters, one name stood out for all the wrong reasons: Diogo Dalot. Once a reliable presence under Erik ten Hag, Dalot’s dramatic decline in form has turned him from a trusted stalwart into an unexpected conundrum for Ruben Amorim.
Diogo Dalot’s Troubling Fall from Grace
Dalot was Manchester United’s Player of the Year last season, a well-deserved honor during an otherwise turbulent campaign. He was a paragon of consistency, delivering solid performances regardless of his position. His rise effectively sidelined Aaron Wan-Bissaka and established him as a key figure for Ten Hag. When Amorim took over, Dalot was expected to carry that reliability forward, providing a seamless transition in the new era.
Yet, six games into Amorim’s tenure, Dalot has been underwhelming, if not detrimental. His performance against Plzen was particularly disappointing. Playing in his natural position as a right wing-back, he failed to provide the attacking spark expected of him. Numerous promising United attacks fizzled out when the ball reached Dalot, as he struggled with both decision-making and execution. His inability to build a partnership with Amad, who played ahead of him in the No. 10 role, was glaring.
This underwhelming display followed an equally poor outing against Nottingham Forest, where Dalot’s errors and lack of sharpness were evident. A pattern is emerging of bad decisions and missed opportunities, raising concerns about his role in the team.
The Challenge for Ruben Amorim
Dalot’s dip in form couldn’t come at a worse time. With Wan-Bissaka sold, Manchester United has fully committed to Dalot as their long-term option at right-back. This collapse in performance raises fears that he might be falling into the complacency trap—a common theme among players who secure their starting spot. However, Dalot’s history suggests otherwise; he has always displayed a strong mentality and professional attitude.
The more likely culprits are the tactical adjustments under Amorim or the physical demands of the wing-back role. Amorim has managed workload concerns effectively for most of his squad, but options for the wing-back position remain limited, putting additional pressure on Dalot. Meanwhile, adapting to a new system is a natural challenge, and there’s hope that Dalot will regain his form as he becomes more accustomed to it.
For now, the player who was a dependable asset under Ten Hag has become an outlier in Amorim’s system. If Dalot can rediscover his form, he could once again be the rock United needs on the right flank. Until then, his struggles serve as both a concern and an opportunity for Amorim to demonstrate his managerial acumen by revitalizing the Portuguese defender’s game.
