Just a matter of weeks ago Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim cut a forlorn figure.
He looked ready to give up. The Red Devils were a sinking ship and Amorim was being engulfed by the stress and pressures of being the top man at Old Trafford.
Yet, he has turned a corner and all of a sudden, United look in the hunt for a top four berth, pouncing on the inconsistencies of the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in recent weeks.
United have now only lost one of their last six matches and have only dropped points in one of their last four outings. It’s an amazing run of form considering how the Amorim era has played out to date.
The Portuguese’s side still have room for improvement, of course they do, but it’s impossible to deny that he isn’t a good coach. He has, after all, managed to revive the careers of Luke Shaw and in-form midfielder Casemiro.
Yet, while the Brazilian has now found the net in successive matches, his companion in defence, Diogo Dalot continues to struggle. United have improved but they still have issues.
Why Dalot has become a big problem for Manchester United
When Amorim was first given the job, he came to English football with a clear style and philosophy. He traditionally plays with a three-man defence, utilising wing-backs to provide the width.
That area of the field is a pivotal one for the manager and it beggars belief that they haven’t strengthened more there.
Amad Diallo has found a home at right wing-back, notably scoring in the draw with Nottingham Forest and striking up a fine partnership with Bryan Mbeumo down the flanks.
Sadly, the left flank continues to be a big problem. Patrick Dorgu is the only senior wing-back that INEOS have signed since Amorim was appointed but the young Dane has not covered himself in much glory since joining.
As a result, alternative solutions have been sought, one of which has been Dalot.
The Portugal international has featured at left-back of left wing-back on 34 occasions in Man United colours but it’s safe to say he’s far more competent on the right.
Dalot was particularly poor at The City Ground a few days ago with the Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston handing the defender a 3/10 rating, writing that ‘there are always question marks around Dalot when he plays on the left side and he was exposed at various stages of the contest.’
Minutes played
68
Touches
43
Accurate passes
21/24 (88%)
Key passes
0
Accurate crosses
0/2
Shots
0
Possession lost
12x
Tackles
1
Interceptions
2
Clearances
3
Dorgu has by no means been much better on the left but he is at least more natural in that position and will give Amorim the rampaging style of play he prefers from his wing-backs.
So, what’s the solution? Well, perhaps there’s one lying in wait at Carrington.
Identifying Man United's Diogo Dalot solution
The most obvious solution here is to exclusively field the 26-year-old on the right, but with Amad having made that position his own in 2025/26, it really does feel as though Dalot is on borrowed time at Old Trafford.
Couple that with some of the young talent United have coming through and the future certainly looks bleak for Dalot.
One talent coming through is Diego Leon and they must start to hand him more minutes before they risk an Alvaro Carreras repeat.
The wing-back has gone around the houses to reach Real Madrid, going via Preston North End and suffering from Erik ten Hag’s rejection before ending up at the world’s most famous football club.
Ten Hag never played him. In fact, Carreras never featured in a single competitive game for United before leaving. That said, he’s been able to thrive away from Manchester and is now seriously catching the eye for Madrid after leaving Benfica behind in a deal worth a whopping £43m.
The fact he left United for just £5m must now leave a seriously bad taste in the mouth of those at Old Trafford.
Carreras has been in the news of late after scoring his first Real goal just last week, belting the ball home in quite some fashion.
The 22-year-old has become a mainstay in Xabi Alonso’s side this season, starting every LaLiga game and playing more minutes (981) than any outfield player in the Bernabeu ranks.
As some have suggested on social media, he is now regarded as “one of the best full-backs in the world”, notably ranking inside the top 2% of wide defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes per 90 minutes and among the best 9% for interceptions per 90, according to FBRef.
What might have been for United, eh, but perhaps they have another version of Carreras in the academy?
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Step forward Leon, signed from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno for just £3.3m in the summer. An exciting wing-back, he is yet to feature competitively for United but looks like he has the potential to thrive in the Premier League before too long.
For the U23s this season, the 18-year-old has played just three times but he’s already found the back of the net. Like Carreras’ goal for Madrid, it was a remarkable effort too.
The teenager has been in the matchday squad in the Premier League on three occasions and it is surely only a matter of time before we see him in action. After all, Dalot’s position is under threat and Dorgu is yet to convince many.
So, what’s so exciting about the young Paraguayan? Well, as analyst Ben Mattinson outlines, he is a “powerhouse”.
Revealing more about the wing-back, Mattinson noted that “the standout trait of Leon is his physicality”, adding that “with a broad, compact build he’s able to dominate duels with real aggression despite his young age.”
But, Leon isn’t just about winning duels, something that is vital in the English top-flight. The defender is also strong going forward. Mattinson further commented that Leon “is a powerful runner who takes on players with explosiveness and directness.”
So, he’s got the powerful running style that Dorgu possesses but pivotally, he also looks like a very strong defender.
Whisper it quietly but the teen looks as though he’s got all the raw attributes needed to be a success in English football. Watch out Dalot and Dorgu, Leon is coming for your place.