ERIK TEN HAG’s deployment of Diogo Dalot at left-back against Nottingham Forest had Manchester United fans purring.
The Dutchman deployed the right back on the opposite flank in order to accommodate both him and Aaron Wan-Bissaka amid the Red Devils’ defensive injury crisis.
The Portuguese was in rare form at the City Ground, where he doubled the United’s lead in the second half of their 2-0 win over the relegation battlers.
And United fans were quick to hail Ten Hag for his tactical masterstroke, as well as “cheat code” Dalot.
One wrote: “Dalot LB is a cheat code, I’ve seen enough.
“Some of our fans don’t rate him lol, clueless. When [Luke] Shaw gets back, he plays CB to replace [Lisandro] Martinez with Dalot LB.”
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A second agreed, saying: “Dalot LB is a cheat code.”
And another said: “Erik Ten Hag made Diago Dalot to play LB and score a goal. What a manager.”
One remarked: “Ten Hag spoke to him and he delivered.”
Another chimed in: “Dalot plays LB today and bàgs 1st League goal. What is Ten Hag cooking.”
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One of the Old Trafford faithful said: “Dalot at Lb opens up a whole new dimension.”
Another said: “Dalot at inverted LB ten hag finding yet ANOTHER great solution to a squad personnel problem.”
And Ten Hag’s switch even impressed watching Arsenal fans, who wished Mikel Arteta had thought of a similar defensive reshuffle in the 2-2 draw at West Ham.
One wrote: “Why couldn’t Arteta do this with Tierney over Holding
“Then put Zinny RB & White CB? Or just Kiwior?
“Stubborness. Arrogance. That’s why.”
United ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Antony and Dalot.
The win saw the Red Devils leapfrog Newcastle into third place in the Premier League table and move six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.
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United will be back in action on Thursday, locking horns with Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan stadium.
And it’s all to play for in the second leg following a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last Tuesday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
