Manchester United failed to return to winning ways in the Premier League after a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils have been poor defensively this campaign, and yesterday was another example, with plenty of defensive errors.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens made basic goalkeeping errors that led to the first two goals.
Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot also had disappointing outings in the back four.
Yoro’s poor headed clearance towards his own goal was saved splendidly by Lammens, but Villa midfielder Leon Goretzka was on guard to score into an open net.
Compared to the duo, Dalot was undoubtedly the worst player on the pitch from left-back.
The Portuguese has played 90 times as a left wing-back and left-back in his long career, but his positioning remains a concern.
Dalot should not have given Alysson that much space to shoot in the first minute to open the scoring for the Villans yesterday.
At the start of the second half, the 27-year-old had another huge lapse in concentration, dangling a leg to foul Alysson in the box. John McGinn converted the penalty.
The former Porto ace was eventually replaced by Patrick Dorgu in the 66th minute, and it proved a superb decision from manager Michael Carrick.
Dorgu provided the assist for United’s third goal in stoppage time before scoring a dramatic last-minute equaliser with a header from a corner.
After the game, Carrick defended Dalot, who was booed by some United fans, but we believe the criticism was more than justified.
The £19 million signing has turned up 57 times as a left-back alone in his career, with 39 of those appearances with United.
Dalot should be accustomed to playing there, given his age and experience. His positional and defensive lapses are not acceptable.
Aside from his defensive flaws, Dalot lost possession nine times yesterday and delivered no successful crosses into the Villa box. He received a 2/10 rating from Manchester Evening News.
Dorgu made a big difference after replacing him with two accurate crosses, one of which led to Zirkzee’s goal.
The Dane capped his performance with a dramatic winner and has put himself in contention for a starting role against Liverpool after the international break.
Dorgu was not picked by the Denmark national side for the Nations League games and has the chance to build his fitness after a hamstring injury lay-off.
It is unclear whether Carrick will stay at the helm as the head coach.
Regardless of who manages the club, we don’t think Dalot should start against Liverpool at Anfield.
Noussair Mazraoui should get the nod over him at right-back, with Dorgu on the opposite end.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com