Víctor Lindelöf and Lisandro Martínez lined up together to start Manchester United’s away game against Everton tonight.
Martinez had previously struck up an incredibly promising partnership with Raphaël Varane after Harry Maguire was dropped following shocking defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
Varane had to start on the bench today after picking up a minor injury against Manchester City.
His absence, and therefore his importance, was felt today.
Diogo Dalot started the game playing at reverse when United had possession.
Dalot was even positioned as an impromptu additional number ten when the Reds attacked Everton’s final third early in the match, somewhat similar to how United’s ‘noisy neighbours’ field João Cancelo.
With a lack of presence, physicality and prominence behind him in the form of Varane, Dalot was left somewhat exposed on occasion in the first half. Loitering to the right of midfield, Dalot missed a couple of passes and dropped some passes menacingly close to opposing players.
Having started the season in good form, so good that Barcelona have shortlisted the Portuguese, it could be assumed (rather abstractly) that Dalot missed the aura and confidence that Varane instills in the back four.
Ten Hag recognized Dalot’s weaknesses when he moved into midfield and quickly pinned him down to occupy only the right-back position around the 35-minute mark.
The 23-year-old then impressed in the match in Ten Hag’s adapted system, posting a 100% tackle rate and aerial success.
Although Dalot continued to wander slightly into central areas at times, his lack of enthusiasm compared to previous matches (or even compared to the start of this Everton game) was visible.
As an experienced world-class right-back centre-back, Varane can be seen as a cornerstone in making Dalot comfortable and helping kick-start the right-back’s fine form.
After all, Dalot never really shone playing alongside Lindelof last season.
It may be unfair to sound a bit hostile towards Lindelöf, who played well tonight, but the overall effects of losing Varane’s imposing defensive kingpin should be highlighted.
For Ten Hag’s favorite possession-based style of play to work successfully, the midfield must be packed with United players.
Therefore, the application of confident, comfortable and consistent reverse fullbacks should be expected to flourish.
What’s more, Martinez’s usual aggressive bursts of attack seemed pretty nil tonight.
It is not clear if that is the lack of confidence of having Varane behind him or if it is due to other factors. But not playing alongside positional expert Varane, Martinez must have felt in a somewhat insecure and uncomfortable defensive build.
Varane’s stature, experience, world-class quality and footballing intelligence must be seen as crucial ingredients for Ten Hag’s desired defensive organization to be implemented profitably.
