Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag names Manchester United duo Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia as options for right-back spot
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed he could use Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia in the absence of Diogo Dalot in the right-back spot. The centre-back and left-back are being eyed as backups for the Portuguese.
Dalot has started every game for the Red Devils this season under Erik ten Hag. The 23-year-old has had a good start under the Dutch manager. The Portuguese defender has improved his game to cement his place in the team.
However, there does not seem to be anyone backing Dalot up. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has played just four minutes of competitive football in the 2022/23 campaign. The 24-year-old has been on the sidelines for over a month now.
When asked about managing Dalot’s minutes, Ten Hag named Lindelof and Malacia as those capable of giving the Portuguese a break. Speaking to the media via the club’s official website, the Dutch manager felt there are other players in the squad for the right-back position.
“Victor [Lindelof] can play there, Tyrell Malacia can play there. We have options to get players in. We have options there.”
Wan-Bisska is evidently not fancied by Ten Hag. The Dutch manager has persisted with Dalot at right-back. And the 23-year-old’s performances in the last couple of games have not been his best.
Competition for places is evidently essential in teams. Luke Shaw had been underwhelming in the previous campaign and continued his struggles at the start of the season.
However, Malacia was capable enough to replace the England international and put in some fine performances. And now, with the Holland international faltering, it is Shaw who is putting in decent displays.
Dalot got his chances in the team last season after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Portuguese became Ralf Rangnick’s first choice and has not looked back since.
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Fans feel that United need to invest in a new right-back. However, until then, it remains to be seen how Dalot is managed by Ten Hag amidst a congested schedule.
