REUTERS/Phil Noble
Diogo Dalot had a disastrous afternoon for Manchester United against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Red Devils salvaged a point in the dying embers against Unai Emery's side, courtesy of a 96th-minute Patrick Dorgu header. The strike came after goals from Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans and Joshua Zirkzee, cancelling out strikes from Alysson, Nicolas Jackson, John McGinn and Leon Goretzka for the away side.
The result leaves United in the relegation zone heading into the international break, having won just one of their opening ten Premier League matches this term. It remains to be seen whether Michael Carrick will survive this interlude, or whether the north-west outfit will head to Anfield in two weeks' time with a different man at the helm.
Sunday's chaotic affair was characterised by a succession of defensive mistakes on both sides, but largely from the home team.
Dalot was as culpable as anyone, playing questionable roles in two of Villa's goals. For the opener, the Portuguese full-back was too slow to get himself in the way of Alysson's shot, lethargically lumbering over to the Brazilian before producing a half-hearted attempt to block the effort.
For Villa's third goal, Dalot casually swung a leg at Villa's young winger as he drove into United's box. Unsurprisingly, Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot, and there were no complaints from the former Porto man, who seemed acutely aware that his carelessness had cost his team.
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Dalot's Statistics vs Aston Villa
Minutes Played
Touches
Pass Accuracy
Passes into the Final Third
Tackles
Interceptions
Distance Covered
When Dalot's number went up on the fourth official's board in the 66th minute, a chorus of ironic cheers echoed around Old Trafford. The defender embarrassingly trudged off the pitch, knowing full well that he'd put in another woeful showing.
That said, the 27-year-old facing the brunt of United supporters' frustrations is somewhat harsh. Another player's dire contributions on Saturday are arguably being overlooked because of the focus on Dalot.
Senne Lammens Was a Problem For Man Utd vs Aston Villa
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While Dalot was at fault for two of Villa's goals, so was Senne Lammens.
The Belgian allowed Alysson's relatively, but not ridiculously, powerful shot to creep underneath him and into the back of the net. Letting the ball go between your legs is never a good look for a goalkeeper, and suffering this moment so early in the match likely didn't help the 24-year-old's confidence.
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It got worse just minutes later. Again facing an effort from Alysson, Lammens parried the 20-year-old's tame effort right back into the danger zone, where Nicolas Jackson was on hand to tap home Villa's second goal. The shot-stopper might be forgiven for being caught flat-footed in the first minute of the game for Alysson's strike, but there is no forgiving his role in Jackson's. Parrying such a weak shot back into the six-yard box is an example of weak goalkeeping, and this mistake is seemingly being overlooked because it came so abruptly in the match.
Lammens' Statistics vs Aston Villa
Minutes Played
Saves
Pass Accuracy
Accurate Long Balls
Punches
High Claims
Throws
There were no signs of improvement from Lammens as the game wore on. He made just three saves, while his inability to control his box exuded a lack of authority and a lack of confidence.
It was very much a three out of ten performance from the Belgium international, who hasn't looked himself since making a critical error for his country in the dying embers of a World Cup quarter-final in the summer.
Confidence is key for goalkeepers, and with Lammens' morale seemingly so low, it's difficult to envisage him overcoming his current rut.
If Carrick is still in charge after the international break, he ought to consider handing Karl Darlow a game or two, merely to protect Lammens from suffering further. Given his age, there is still ample room for the former Royal Antwerp man to recover from these recent set-backs and return to his best level.
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