Gary Neville dropped a ruthless verdict on Ruben Amorim’s decision to bring Diogo Dalot onto the pitch in Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim had started Patrick Dorgu at left wing-back on Monday evening in the club’s first Premier League match since the end of the November international break.
Should Ruben Amorim have rolled the dice with Shea Lacey? 🎲
Do you think Shea Lacey could have changed the game?
Should Ruben Amorim have at least tried?
Shea Lacey at Carrington
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Patrick Dorgu struggled to have any real impact on Manchester United’s performance against 10-man Everton and the left wing-back looked deeply exposed at times.
The 21-year-old Danish defender was hooked off in the 58th minute by United manager Amorim and was replaced by Diogo Dalot for the remainder of the match.
Dalot has been playing as an inverted wing-back in Amorim’s tactical system for United this season and has struggled to impress for the Red Devils.
READ MORE: Forget Bruno Fernandes, baffled Man Utd fans in full agreement about player’s ‘aura’ in 1-0 defeat to Everton
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville is interviewed ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Gary Neville explains the difference between Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot in Man Utd’s Premier League loss to Everton
Everton caused a stunning upset over Manchester United on Monday evening after David Moyes walked away with the ultimate bragging rights over his former side.
More United News
The Toffees were reduced to 10 men inside the opening 15 minutes after Idrissa Gueye was sent off for an altercation with Everton teammate Michael Keane.
However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall slammed home the opener – and eventual winner – in the 29th minute thanks to a stunning curling strike past Senne Lammens.
What is your message to Ruben Amorim after Manchester United’s defeat to Everton?
Ruben Amorim gestures
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Speaking after United’s defeat to Everton, Gary Neville was baffled by Ruben Amorim choosing to replace Patrick Dorgu with Diogo Dalot in the second half.
“I thought the substitutions — and I’m just riffing now in no particular order — as I feel bringing Dalot on that far side and blocking that side off,” he said on Sky Sports’ The Gary Neville Podcast.
“I know Dorgu was having a tough night. He wasn’t great at all, but at least he’s got a left foot, but putting Dalot on meant that all of a sudden that he’s having to turn back the way on his right foot and play around.”
READ MORE: Joshua Zirkzee’s performance vs Everton has all Man Utd fans saying same thing, ‘When Sesko is on the pitch…’
Gary Neville reacts to Diogo Dalot’s Man Utd performance vs Everton after Ruben Amorim’s call
Dalot struggled to exert any real influence on the left side and Sky Sports pundit Neville insisted that the 26-year-old Portuguese full-back is not a “left winger.”
“Now, he’s a capable player, Diogo Dalot,” Neville continued.
“He’s not a left wing-back, though. He’s not a left winger.”
The United legend added: “He’s finding himself as a left winger. Dalot, he’s not a left winger.”
United were undefeated in their last five Premier League matches before David Moyes’ men walked away with all three points at Old Trafford on Monday evening.