Erik ten Hag: Trouble looms during Manchester United training session

Diogo Dalot has been back to his best for Manchester United in recent weeks, this could spell bad news for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford

Aaron Wan-Bissaka had the right back slot locked down prior to picking up an injury earlier this month.
Since then Diogo Dalot has recaptured the form which had him so highly regarded this time last year.

Dalot remained in great form until after last years World Cup which is when Wan-Bissaka took over as first choice.
That is until potentially now, as Dalot impresses with his early season form, which could make his positional peers return from injury more difficult.

With Wan-Bissaka not currently expected back until the middle of October, Dalot won’t have much competition for another few weeks yet.
This gives him time to firmly establish himself as the first-choice, making it practically impossible for Erik ten Hag to drop him.

Having the Portuguese full-back on the right when he is performing, makes United a far better team.
His qualities are much more suited to an in possession team and he is a lot better in attack than the former Palace man.

He suits the new system to a T
A regular star for Portugal in Roberto Martinez’s possession based system, Dalot is perfect for the role required at Old Trafford.
Firstly against Burnley, Dalot showcased his suitability as he made two key passes and created one big chance in the 1-0 win.

Atop this he had an 87% pass rate with 51 touches, this shows his reliablity and comfort when on the ball as per SofaScore.
Against Crystal Palace, he was even better, with 101 touches and 62 passes completed along with a heat map that showed he dominated the right side.
He also again made two key passes and created a big chance as he put

multiple deadly crosses into the box.
If he continues like this, there could be no way back for Wan-Bissaka, however as seen last season he is more than capable of fighting his way back.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag ignored a clear warning from coaching assistant Benni McCarthy in the summer.

 

Manchester United failed to listen to the advice of Benni McCarthy in the summer when they allowed David de Gea to leave the club. The Red Devils coach previously claimed it would be “a crime” if the Spaniard left Old Trafford at the end of his contract.

De Gea’s 12-year spell at United came to an end in July. After making 545 appearances in all competitions, he was unable to come to a final agreement on a new contract.

Controversy surrounded his exit, however, with The Athletic claiming De Gea had put pen to paper on a new deal on heavily reduced terms. But United did not sign the contract and then backtracked, instead offering another new proposal with an even lower salary.

De Gea decided against signing the latest offer and became a free agent. United signed Andre Onana a couple of weeks later to become their new No 1.

Six weeks earlier, McCarthy had made public his thoughts on De Gea’s situation. McCarthy was appointed as a first-team coach last July and has mainly worked close to the attackers.

But the former Blackburn star also kept an eye on the rest of the squad. He spoke on South African radio station 947 Joburg to explain his opinion on De Gea, outlining that there was no way United should allow him to leave.
McCarthy said in June: “He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course, you’re going to concede, but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable.

“You see how difficult the league is so I understand that everyone has a bad game here and there, but it doesn’t stop him from being one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen and I’ve worked with. He is unbelievable.

“I work with him every single day and I get to see first-hand more than what most people get to do. You only see him on a Saturday or on a matchday, and if you see him make a mistake the critics hit the roof.

“But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen. It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea.”

United didn’t heed McCarthy’s advice and De Gea is still yet to find a new club. But after a difficult start to life in the Premier League for Onana, Ten Hag may be questioning whether he made the right decision to ditch the long-serving Spaniard.