“He had 71 touches, 3 chances created, 6 duels won”- Erik Ten Hag hails sensational superstar who was the best player on the pitch and ran the show against WestHam – Not Hujlund, not Garnacho and not Mainoo
Manchester United’s good recent run of form may well be down to one underrated star, who has been brilliant.
After Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United picked up a deserved 3-0 victory over West Ham, despite what David Moyes said in the aftermath of the victory at Old Trafford when the Scot claimed his side performed better, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, naturally, got the plaudits.
Diogo Dalot has been in and out of the United team in the last 12 months but performances like today, and over the last few weeks, have ensured that the Portuguese defender has firmly won his place back in the first-team.
If the Portuguese star continues at the level he has been performing at for the past few weeks, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will continue to be on the sidelines for United.
Dalot’s outstanding performance
The former FC Porto right-back was superb against Wolves in midweek with his involvement, in the first goal in particular, deserving huge praise with his strong progressive pass into Hojlund, help set up Marcus Rashford’s opener.
In this win against West Ham, according to Sofascore, he had 73 touches of the ball, completed 90 per cent of the passes attempted and made one block during the game but that block was a vital one.
After Jarrod Bowen was set clean through on goal for the Hammers, the Englishman looked set to halve the deficit and fire the London side right back into the game.
With seemingly no defender around him, Bowen looked to have an easy opportunity, but back came Dalot, who put in a superb sliding challenge and his shot was blocked and went behind for a corner.
The moment led to great acclaim from the Old Trafford faithful as well as plenty of high fives and fist bumps from his teammates.
Player of the season
As the season progresses, which has, by and large, been awful, fans will be beginning to discuss who has been the best performer for the Red Devils.
Hojlund would be a contender but surely Dalot, who has had to win his place back in the first team, should be in with a shout.
With one goal and one assist to his name this season, he hasn’t been heavily involved in the attacking side of the team but has more than made up for it with his maturity and the development of the defensive side of his game this campaign.
Whether on the right or left, Dalot has been a consistent performer, and this match against West Ham was one of his best.
