Ruben Amorim must consider one key first-team Manchester United star as an alternative to Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot to ‘fix’ an issue with his tactical system.
Patrick Dorgu started in the left wing-back role in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system in Manchester United’s 1-0 Premier League loss to Everton at Old Trafford on Monday.
What do you think Amad’s best position is for Manchester United?
Amad Diallo battles for possession in Manchester United kit.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
The 21-year-old Denmark international deeply struggled in his position and Dorgu would make way early in the second half for fellow full-back Diogo Dalot.
Dalot arrived on the pitch in the 58th minute and the 26-year-old Portugal international did not fare any better on the left flank in United’s encounter with 10-man Everton.
The United defender did very little to influence the Red Devils’ attack, which was also missing the impact that Matheus Cunha could offer due to his injury.
READ MORE: Michael Owen says Matheus Cunha is ‘different profile of player’ to uninspiring Man Utd star after Everton defeat
Patrick Dorgu looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Forget Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot, Ruben Amorim needs to consider what Noussair Mazraoui could bring to the Man Utd table
Noussair Mazraoui started on the right flank for the Red Devils on Monday evening and only saw out the first half before he was hooked off at half-time at Old Trafford.
More United News
The 28-year-old Morocco international might not have lit up the world with his performance, but he was far more effective than Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot.
Noussair Mazraoui impressed Manchester United fans in the 2024-25 season after he arrived at the club in 2024 alongside ex-Bayern Munich teammate Matthijs de Ligt.
The United defender showed his versatility under former United manager Erik ten Hag, who was all too familiar with what Mazraoui could bring to the table.
What did you think of Ruben Amorim’s post-game comments after the loss to Everton?
“I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together, we are going to work together.”
Speaking ahead of United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton, Mazraoui insisted that he was more than capable of playing on either flank as a wing-back or as a full-back.
“I always used to do both,” he told United Review, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“So, whenever I was a right-back, I always liked to do the attacking, but I also liked to defend, to catch my opponent, one against one, and just win those duels.
“For me, it’s also a nice feeling, so I think, yeah, those two positions just suit me and I don’t really have a preference.”
READ MORE: Mason Mount already told Man Utd how Joshua Zirkzee’s biggest issue against Everton could have been avoided
Noussair Mazraoui has a much better understanding of the wing-back role for Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Noussair Mazraoui reunited with Erik ten Hag and the former Ajax head coach was not afraid to use him at right-back, left-back and even as a No 10 during his reign.
Ruben Amorim needs wing-backs who understand the importance of the role to the overall dynamic and former Ajax star Mazraoui knows exactly what he needs to do.
Poll: Should Man Utd buy another left wing-back?
“I think, as a wing-back, it’s more going up and down,” Mazraoui explained.
“So, you have more of both sides. A little bit more defending, but also you have to be decisive because you come a lot into the last third of the pitch, the last-third part of the pitch.
“And that asks again something different from you than being at centre-back because then you have to give like an assist or be decisive or give a great ball, where it comes to a chance.”
The left flank has become a growing problem for United manager Amorim and playing right-back Dalot is not the solution, nor is the exposed Dorgu.
With that said, the former Sporting CP head coach should seriously consider taking a page out of the playbook of Ten Hag and experiment with Mazraoui.