- Manchester United drew 2-2 vs Bournemouth
- Diogo Dalot again frustrated
- A new right-back should be on the agenda
Manchester United’s short term concerns will be about lodging paperwork for a complaint to PGMO. The matter of concern was the series of refereeing decisions made against United in their 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth on Friday evening.
The headlines will focus on refereeing inconsistencies and VAR blunders, but the performance of Diogo Dalot offered a reminder of United’s long-term future. The Portuguese fullback proved that the club’s current fullback options are being anchored by the club’s ambitions. Those particular ambitions of United CEO Omar Berrada are to win the Premier League by 2028.
Wasteful Dalot proves doubters right
On paper, Dalot is a dream choice for a manager. He is able to play as a right-back and left-back effervescently on his day.
Former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho once lauded Dalot as United’s guaranteed fullback for the next decade. In 2018, he said: “He’s a 19-year-old player who has more than 10 years to play for Manchester United.” Having signed from Porto that season, that prophecy might well become true for all the wrong reasons. Dalot spent the 2020/21 season on loan an AC Milan, but returned as a regular starter in following seasons.
During the game against Bournemouth, he wastefully blasted a shot into Row Z, killing all momentum of a promising attack. It was not the first instance of poor decision making from the Portuguese. As the game went on, he became progressively worse at his job.
It can be argued that both Dalot and Luke Shaw have become too comfortable at Old Trafford, so any drop in performance is hardly noticeable. The arrival of Patrick Dorgu has offered excitement down the left side, only halted by his current injury lay-off.
Due to the inverted nature of his positioning, he has often found himself in a striker’s dream position at times and miserably failed to convert chances. Whilst not his primary responsibility, efficiency is what separates world class footballers from the rest.
Under Ruben Amorim, Amad Diallo was played as the right wing-back, with Dalot often preferred at left wing-back. Between Amad being on AFCON duty with Ivory Coast and Amorim being sacked, Dalot swiftly went back to his preferred side.
Mazraoui’s unavailability raises concern
Another player in the squad who has played at right-back is Noussair Mazraoui. His presence in United’s side last season hailed him as one of the club’s biggest bargains in recent seasons. In 2026, it has felt that the Moroccan has been in and out of the side for the most part.
Some of those reasons are due to illness, AFCON duties or injury-related issues which have accumulated as the campaign has gone on. On Friday evening against Bournemouth, Mazraoui was unavailable to an illness. Since Ruben Amorim’s sacking, his influence on the team has waned as United have moved back to a back four. Whilst capable of playing on both flanks, the lack of games has disrupted the rhythm of players such as the former Bayern defender.
Jason Wilcox has bigger fish to fry in the summer such as replacing veteran Casemiro. However, if United’s ambitions are to truly win the Premier League by 2028, then signing new starting fullbacks should become a non-negotiable priority.
