Manchester United fans have voiced their discontent with one of their players following a late defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. In the 95th minute of their Premier League clash, United conceded a critical goal to Brighton’s forward, Joao Pedro, resulting in a loss for the Red Devils.
This defeat came just a week after Manchester United narrowly won their opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League season against Fulham. In that match, a last-minute goal by new signing Joshua Zirkzee secured a 1-0 victory for United. However, the optimism from that win was quickly overshadowed by the disappointing performance against Brighton.
After the match, fans took to social media to express their frustration, specifically targeting Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot. Many believe that Dalot’s poor positioning during the buildup to Brighton’s winning goal was the main reason for the defeat. Critics highlighted that Dalot was out of position, which allowed Joao Pedro to be unmarked and score from close range.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) criticized Dalot, stating, “This is what happens when you keep overhyping average players like Dalot. His failure to maintain his position says a lot about his concentration levels. This isn’t the first time and probably won’t be the last.” Another fan echoed this view, saying, “Dalot is at the back post AGAIN… I have an agenda, but whatever, I can’t be bothered.” A third fan pointed out the lack of defensive awareness, commenting, “There were three players left unmarked on the back post, but Dalot allows the opponent to move in five yards inside the 18-yard box and doesn’t make any attempt to block the shot.”
Diogo Dalot, who made 50 appearances for Manchester United last season, scoring three goals and helping the team achieve seven clean sheets in the Premier League, is now under intense scrutiny. The criticism comes at a time when United’s defensive issues have been a recurring problem, and Dalot’s mistake against Brighton has only heightened concerns about the team’s ability to secure important points.
For Brighton, the victory marked their second consecutive win of the season, following a 3-0 triumph over Everton in their opening match. This win temporarily placed Brighton at the top of the Premier League standings, demonstrating their strong start to the season.
Looking ahead, Manchester United faces a tough schedule, including a highly anticipated match against Liverpool at Old Trafford. This match will feature Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, facing United for the first time since his appointment in June.
Meanwhile, Brighton will focus on their upcoming EFL Cup second-round match against Crawley Town before preparing to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The criticism of Dalot highlights the high expectations placed on Manchester United players, particularly in critical moments where the team is expected to deliver results. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Dalot and the rest of the United squad handle the pressure and whether they can recover from this early setback.