Manchester United’s nine-match unbeaten run came to a complete stop on Sunday when Aston Villa shockingly put United to the sword and walked away with a 3-1 win.
The poor result was partly due to United’s grueling schedule over the past month, in which players had to play the Europa League on Thursday night alongside weekend Premier League matches.
Erik ten Hag’s selection calls were also to blame as his decision to start Donny van de Beek instead of the suspended Bruno Fernandes drew much criticism.
Dalot’s absence will be felt
And the Dutch manager will have to figure out how to shuffle his package once again, as one more of his ‘safety pins’ will miss the last league game before the World Cup.
Diogo Dalot has started every game so far this season and after receiving five bookings in the league, he will have to sit out the game against Fulham.
Malacia back https://t.co/jWiBVUuQBv
– Hamad Al Thani (@althani_27) November 6, 2022
As with the attacking midfield role, Ten Hag does not have a ready-made replacement. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was right-back when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge, but not anymore.
His limited skills with the ball at his feet and weakness when it comes to bombing forwards do not sit well with the Dutch coach, who prefers a more proactive style of full-back and someone who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
The former Crystal Palace man came close to being sacked in the summer only for the United hierarchy to block the move at the last minute.
Rumors linking him with a return to Selhurst Park have resurfaced once again and the feeling is that he will be let go this time as he is clearly not in the manager’s plans.
The other options include playing there with Victor Lindelof. The Swede has done it in the past, most recently against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and the ploy has never worked.
malacia the deputy
The center back provides additional height and security, but is too slow and not too good when it comes to bombing forward to join the attack.
The best option at Ten Hag’s disposal is to use left-back Tyrell Malacia there. He has already played there a couple of times this season and has the energy and footballing intelligence to deal with it.
The Dutch defender is no stranger to such requests for a change of position with national team manager and former United manager Louis van Gaal using him as an assistant centre-back in one game.
The former Feyenoord winger’s versatility has certainly benefited United in more ways than one. He has played well when given the opportunity and has also forced Luke Shaw to improve his game.
Using Malacia from the right should only be seen as a temporary solution and the club should go for a substitute in January.
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