I have never played against such a dangerously aggressive player in my Career before,We could have won the game if not for Him”, Aston Villa Goalie praises £60m Man United player for His outstanding performance last night
In a recent match, Manchester United managed to put a stop to the rising negativity surrounding the team, at least for a short time. The game against Aston Villa ended in a 0-0 draw, which, while not an overwhelming success, certainly didn’t push their coach Erik ten Hag closer to being sacked. At the same time, it wasn’t enough to fully secure his position either. What this draw did do was buy the manager more time, showing that the players are still willing to fight for him, especially after a similar result against Porto earlier in the week.
One standout from the match was defender Diogo Dalot, who earned a spot in the BBC’s team of the week for his determined performance, contrasting his previous struggles from just a week ago. Dalot was the only Manchester United player to make it into the team of the week, despite veteran defender Jonny Evans coming close—Evans was the fan-voted man of the match, but fell short of being included in the official lineup.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who selected the team, had high praise for Dalot. He remarked on Dalot’s consistency over the past couple of years, despite some difficulties this season. Deeney noted that Dalot has been reliable, whether playing as a left-back or a right-back, and commended his performance against an in-form Aston Villa, calling it a much-needed result for United.
Dalot’s season has been challenging, particularly when he struggled during a match against Tottenham. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag had been experimenting with Dalot’s role, at times placing him in the midfield. This positional shift seemed to cause some confusion for the player, as he was often caught out of position, making him vulnerable against opposing teams. However, against Aston Villa, ten Hag reverted to a more traditional setup for Dalot, abandoning the inverted full-back role that had caused problems.
In his more familiar role as a standard full-back, Dalot’s performance improved significantly. He was more in tune with his defensive teammates and made several crucial plays, including a key block late in the game that helped secure the draw. This marked Dalot’s 43rd appearance for both club and country in 2024, a testament to his endurance and importance to the team.
Taking on Aston Villa, who have been in excellent form, was never going to be easy. Yet, Manchester United’s overall performance was respectable, and Dalot played a critical role in helping the team walk away with a point. His ability to adapt and deliver when needed has earned him praise, and his efforts in this match were a reminder of his value to the squad.
