Like the tweet says, interesting:
Some of the issues with the spacing are caused by his own and our team's pressing/naivety. At the same time, he also doesn't give up and makes some incredible recovery runs. He probably did enough to even slightly put off Watkins on that Onana save too. I haven't watched MOTD in a while, so a bit surprised they would cover something like as they always seemingly cover 'bigger' narratives and often have simplistic takes.
Conversely, I came across the Pellistri thread and was interested to look at his highlights in the Barca game but then noticed Cancelo:
I didn't watch the full game or know how he's performing in general so obviously an out of context judgement but based purely on these clips, Cancelo was quite instrumental in a couple of their goals. However, some of his effort and positioning on defending was horrendous; he's wearing no.2. I'm not trying to use this to say 'there isn't better than Dalot out there' but when people say 'he's doing okay, we should find an upgrade in the summer' I don't think people realise short of buying the once in a generation talent that doesn't exist or are unobtainable, these 'much better, attacking and good defensive RBs' don't grow on trees. And in turn, I think underrating the job Dalot is doing.
Great post, I think that pace and work rate from both Dalot and Garnacho is somehow underrated.
Personally, I don't agree with people who think we should look to upgrade on Dalot - we will struggle to find a better option at the market. It's not easy to find a player of his profile: great work rate, physicality and pace, very good technique and passing range, very good crossing, decent weaker foot, good at both defensive and offensive 1v1, can cover left back if needed etc.
I just look at it another way, he is a real asset to our squad and I'm sure that many top clubs in Europe would like to have him in their squad. Frimpong is on fire at Leverkusen, no doubt about his talent, but they are very, very different profiles.
What we need to do in the market to raise Dalot's game even more and this team in general is to sign a centre back who is technically sound in possession, has pace, aggression and who would be comfortable in 1v1 situations down that channel out of possession. I think it would be much more beneficial to sign a player like Todibo than a new right back.
I just love Dalot for this quote alone:
"We have a chance to be remembered as the players who brought Manchester United back". Some people were just too quick to judge him ignoring the fact that he came here very young without any noticeable first team experience. Get him all support, there is a player in that fella.