Amid tight competition for starting roles, there is a serious debate on Diogo Dalot vs Wan Bissaka: Who is a Better Right-Back for Manchester United?
Well, it’s safe to say that Diogo Dalot has been putting in the type of performances that should have Aaron Wan-Bissaka deeply worried.
If you consider Diogo Dalot vs Aaron-Wan Bissaka and compare their statistics, you will realize that Wan Bissaka is good defensively while Dalot is a better attacking right-back.
Former Porto man Dalot hardly had a sniff of football under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who preferred Wan Bissaka he signed from Crystal Palace.
Aaron Wan Bissaka vs Diogo Dalot competition just reached a new crescendo as the Portuguese defender showcased a masterclass performance against Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Diogo Dalot was Manchester United’s big winner in 3-2 victory over Arsenal and the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Manchester United star Diogo Dalot put in a remarkable shift vs Crystal Palace in what was a hard-fought clash.
The young Portuguese defender ensured his side kept a well-earned clean-sheet in the narrow 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
Why Dalot has an advantage over Aaron Wan Bissaka as Man Utd no.1 right-back
Dalot’s season-long loan switch to AC Milan last year came as no surprise, and he departed with his long-term United future in the air.
However, the move has proved to be a fruitful one for the 22-year-old, consequently putting him firmly back in United’s long-term plans.
Dalot exhibits himself as a strong attacking profile, confident in driving up the flank, making crucial overlapping runs, swinging balls into the box and taking shots at goal.
His attacking numbers look unremarkable at a glance – far better than Wan Bissaka; Dalot registered two goals and two assists with AC Milan last season, however, it’s the comfort in which he goes forward that’s really impressed United officials paying close attention to the wing-back’s progression from afar this season.
Regardless of Wan-Bissaka’s fitness, Dalot has a chance to start more games this season.
His performance against Arsenal showed he may warrant another opportunity.
United new coach Ralf Rangnick is now in charge; Dalot’s return to the line-up, and his return to form, could be perfectly timed.
Will Rangnick give Diogo Dalot playing opportunities?
Aaron Wan Bissaka’s minor injury of late has Dalot handed an opportunity and he’s certainly grabbed it with both hands.
The interesting thing to see will be whether Ralf Rangnick is picking him out of necessity or whether he genuinely prefers Dalot to Wan-Bissaka.
German manager Ralf Rangnick clearly prefers attacking full-backs and many fans have complained of the latter’s ability to affect the final third.
Dalot was successful in passing directly as Rangnick likes and did so with a respectable amount of accuracy.
His recoveries and tackles show his defensive game may be underrated by some who critique him.
Nonetheless, Dalot has given Rangnick the good kind of a problem and time will tell who will earn the right-back spot more.
Diogo Dalot’s game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
88% pass accuracy
11 attempted long passes
9 successful long passes
6 ball recoveries
4 attempted tackles
3 successful tackles
3 attempted crosses
2 successful crosses
1 interception
Impressive once again. 🇵🇹
Wan Bissaka lacks attacking threats as compared to right-back Dalot
Spiderman aka Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s attacking capabilities have continued to be questioned. Certainly, improvements have been seen from the England international in this department, and his combined total of eight direct goal contributions last season are actually better than Dalot’s return of four.
Yet, Wan-Bissaka played nearly 3,000 minutes more than Dalot did in Milan.
The dissatisfaction from United coaches in Wan-Bissaka’s attacking play is evident by the fact that the club contemplated a move for Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier in January.
Ex-Spurs man Trippier is widely recognized as one of the better-attacking wing-backs across Europe, even despite playing in a rather rigid system under Diego Simeone, however at 30, his time left at the very top is limited, making any high-priced investment likely to be unwise.
That said, 22-year-old Dalot is improving on all fronts and from that right side of the pitch, United have for too long lacked a profile comfortable enough to traverse inside the opposition’s half and add a balance to the attacking intent exhibited by Luke Shaw on the opposite flank.
Dalot could ultimately provide this, although it’d be at the expense of Wan-Bissaka who’ll need to fight hard and build upon last season’s marginally improved attacking campaign if he’s to maintain his starting position.
