Danny Simpson slams Diogo Dalot for ‘criminal’ defense

Of all the Manchester United players who contributed to last night’s defeat being so humiliating, Diogo Dalot was certainly one of the main culprits.

His complete inaction in tracking down Brennan Johnson at the back post for the opener was nothing short of inexcusable. The fact that it only happened in the third minute of the game and so he was fresh from warming up with full energy leaves him even more to answer for.

Former speaker Danny Simpson also expressed his disbelief at the incident, telling the MUTV panel: “I see the cross coming and the fact that Brennan Johnson has so much space at the back post I think is criminal. I think that is Dalot’s position. I’m not sure if he was rotated from midfield or full-back and he needs to recover.

“After two or three minutes it’s obviously a disaster. I think the goal was really bad from start to finish. We need to be better at closing the space and reacting, and everyone needs to come over and shuffle over. I think, Ugarte, he could have reacted quicker and gotten over it, then he reacted too late at that point.”

“Diogo Dalot raised his hands and apologized – but you can’t allow that at any level.” he concluded.

Dalot doesn’t have to worry about his place – unfortunately

Such a misjudgment should result in players being eliminated from the next game; When Casemiro was responsible for Liverpool’s two first-half goals on September 1, he was thrilled at half-time and has not started a single Premier League game since.

However, the lack of options in the squad means Dalot is sure to keep his place come the midweek game against Porto, as well as Sunday’s trip to Villa Park.

The Portuguese star filled in at left-back in the absence of Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, the latter of whom is now expected to return after the October international break, while Noussair Mazraoui is the only other natural right-back in the senior team.

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