Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim appears dejected in the dugout
Diogo Dalot has been told it was 'unacceptable' not to play in Rasmus Hojlund, after the defender failed to cross when the Manchester United striker appeared to be in a prime position to score.
The Red Devils pair appeared to clash as Hojlund made his frustration with Dalot clear for not passing the ball when he was well-positioned in front of goal. After breaking free down the right, United's right-back instead decided to cut back and saw his side's attack quickly break down.
Ruben Amorim's side earned a draw to Real Sociedad but failed to create too many clear-cut chances. Joshua Zirkzee had earned United a 1-0 lead before a Bruno Fernandes handball saw Mikel Oyarzabal convert from the penalty spot.
It was not only Hojlund who was left frustrated with Dalot however. Former Blackburn and Birmingham City midfielder Robbie Savage was in disbelief at the 25-year-old's wasteful play.
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"People can criticise Rasmus Hojlund for not scoring in 18 games but look at that there," Savage said on TNT Sports ’ commentary. "He’s made the run. Why on earth has Dalot not played that ball across? If I’m the manager, I’d be screaming at him.
"Hojlund is in, he’s goal-side of the defender. It’s an easy pass, just roll it across. That’s unacceptable.
"People can criticise Hojlund but he’s made the right run there and got past the defender. He still didn’t get the opportunity.
Diogo Dalot reacts after Real Sociedad was awarded a penalty during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg
Diogo Dalot was criticised for his play ( Image: ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
"That’s not acceptable from Dalot. If I’m the manager I would be absolutely hammering him right now. What is going through Dalot’s mind there?
"You can see Hojlund is in… pass it! That was the perfect opportunity for Man United and Hojlund.
"I just don’t know why he doesn’t roll it across to Hojlund. That is a great example of the lack of service he gets. He’s been lively so far but has nothing to show from it.
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"Maybe I’m going on about it too much but it’s unacceptable. It was such a good opportunity to score."
Amorim his hopeful his side can prove more ruthless moving forwards. The 40-year-old wants to see his side take more opportunities to shoot.
United's head coach defended Dalot's inability to find Hojlund and called upon his stars to quickly move on from any tiff. “That is clear,” said Amorim.
Rasmus Hojlund was frustrated not to be played in
“We're creating chances, but sometimes you don’t see it in the expected goals, because we manage not to shoot. But the great opportunities are there and you can see it. We have transitions, we have situations and sometimes we're missing something.
“That can change something, especially in these kinds of games, when we need goals that can make a difference. I’m just imagining Diogo didn’t know for sure that Rasmus had the advantage and he felt that he had a lot of time to think of the play.
“It was a clear position, Rasmus did really well, Dalot did really well, but the decision was not the best. The important thing is to move on and not be fighting.”
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