Since Ruben Amorim took charge of Manchester United at the end of 2024, the Red Devils have had to adapt to a new system, a 3-4-2-1. In many ways, this is a good thing, given how much they struggled in a back four under Erik ten Hag.
It has meant that plenty of players have needed to remodel certain aspects of their game to fit in with how Amorim sets his side up. For example, winger Alejandro Garnacho has had to play more as a number ten than as an out-and-out winger.
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho celebrates after the match
Another player who has needed to adapt is Diogo Dalot, who has been playing wing-back in recent weeks.
Dalot’s form under Amorim
Life under Amorim has been busy for Dalot. He has been a crucial player for the new Red Devils boss, playing 24 games across all competitions so far. He has only missed one game, the 3-1 Premier League win over Southampton for which he was suspended.
Diogo Dalot (2)
Dalot also managed to get himself on the scoresheet earlier in the season, scoring a well-taken goal in the Europa League against Romanian side FCSB.
He ghosted towards the back post, converting Kobbie Mainoo’s cross with an outstretched leg.
However, things have not been as easy for Dalot as they may seem. His form has been patchy at times, with football analyst and host of The Overlap: The Breakdown H particularly scathing with his criticism.
He said at the start of February that the United number 20 has been “garbage for months”, suggesting his form has been quite poor.
In the pipeline
In The Pipeline
On Thursday night in United’s Europa League Round of 16 clash against Real Sociedad, the Portuguese international failed to cross to Rasmus Hojlund when the Dane made a great run to create space in the box for himself.
The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell said the United striker “went crazy” at the United right-back for his failure to pass.
Diogo-Dalot-Matty-Cash-Man-Utd
It has certainly been a tough few months for Dalot, whose form has been patchy. Perhaps it is time for Amorim to look elsewhere to help reduce the workload on his right wing-back.
There is one option in the academy he could turn to.
Man Utd's academy wing-back solution
Even in their worst moments, one thing United as a football club can always be proud of is their academy. The Red Devils have lots of exciting stars coming through their esteemed Carrington Academy.
The solution to taking the burden off Dalot could be young full-back Jaydan Kamason. The 18-year-old has been in excellent form for the youth sides this season, and has been described as a “different class” by one academy insider on X.
This season, he has made 27 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and grabbing an impressive six assists. His performances in the FA Youth Cup have been outstanding.
Kamason grabbed two assists in the 5-1 demolition of Chelsea in the fifth round, and scored a sensational goal against Arsenal in the quarter-final, which United won 3-2 in extra time.
Kamason has also impressed for the Red Devils in the UEFA Youth League this season. One of his best performances came in the 5-2 thrashing of FK Zalgiris.
As per Sofascore, the full-back had 121 touches of the ball and completed 96% of his passes. He also won 100% of his tackles.
Kamason stats vs. FK Zalgiris
Stat
Touches
Pass accuracy
Passes completed
Dribbles completed
Tackle win rate
Key passes
Assists
Stats from Sofascore
There is no doubt that Kamason seems like an exciting talent for Amorim’s squad going forward. He clearly has attacking nous, given the goals and assist numbers he has to his name this term, and is also an excellent defender.
After making a real impression for the academy this term, perhaps a first-team debut for the 18-year-old is not too far away, to help ease the burden on Dalot and unleash another talented academy graduate.
Amorim-Man-Utd-Premier-League (2)
As journalist Shaun Connolly said, Kamason is certainly "banging" on the door for a debut sooner rather than later.
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