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Despite having to play for more than an hour with 10 men, Manchester United managed to pull another rabbit out of the hat and seal their FA Cup third round tie against Arsenal on penalties away at the Emirates. The game was tied 5-3.
The game ended 1-1 after overtime, with both teams scoring in the second half. After some great play from Alejandro Garnacho, the ball fell to Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the box, who slotted it past David Raya to give the away team the lead.
But the joy was short-lived as Diogo Dalot received a second yellow for an unnecessary challenge and the Gunners quickly equalized.
At that point it looked like the Red Devils were going to lose the game after Kai Havertz won a questionable penalty and the Portuguese was sent off, but Altai Baindil saved United’s blushes by making a series of saves and ending the game. The match went to a penalty shootout, which eventually emerged. I felt triumphant.
Dalot almost cost United the game
The Portugal international struggled to influence the game on the left, both forward and defensive, forcing manager Ruben Amorim to shift him to his natural flank.
However, that move did not go well and the former Porto star will miss this weekend’s Premier League game against Southampton.
Despite his impressive performance against Liverpool last week, Dalot has not shined in attack this season, with the wing-back expected to provide width and attacking thrust to Amorim’s system.
The head coach has blamed the imbalance in the squad, with Luke Shaw absent through injury, forcing his compatriot to continue playing on the left wing, while Tyrell Malasia is expected to leave the club.
Amorim would ideally play alongside Dalot on the right and add reinforcements on the left, but INEOS are struggling with PSR concerns and have so far failed to complete a single deal.
They are looking to raise funds through the sale of players, and Dalot is one of the players attracting a lot of interest from La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid.
In fact, the Spanish side were prepared to pay £45 million for United’s No. 20, but Give Mesport claims Amorim has no intention of letting his compatriot leave despite his poor performance on Sunday. .
Real want Dalot, but Amorim doesn’t want to sell
“Diogo Dalot may have been considered a January cash cow until he saw action for Liverpool.” The 25-year-old versatile player was signed from FC Porto in 2018 for a whopping £19 million. The defender has proven to be one of United’s best buys in recent years.
“United face profitability and sustainability concerns, and Dalot is being pursued by teams in Spain and Italy, including Real Madrid.
“However, the speedy wing-back, worth £45 million, is a firm favorite of manager Ruben Amorim, who has informed United bosses that he does not want to sell the star player. Amorim sees Dalot as key to his tactical 3-4-3 system and one of the few players who is naturally suited to that style.
It remains to be seen whether this stance means there will be no signing of a left wing-back. Amorim could be forced to face Malasia again next weekend against Southampton, which doesn’t bode well.
Featured image Julian Finney (via Getty Images)
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