Dalot’s muddled performances are just another symptom of Old Trafford chaos | Will Unwin

Sporting success is, supposedly, a nigh-on irrelevance to Manchester United’s global brand. The money will stream in regardless thanks to the behemoth company it has become, leaving behind its football club roots and becoming the world’s greatest soap opera creating the sort of drama of which Phil Mitchell can only dream.

There is a strong cast of characters from the hated billionaire owners to the under‑pressure manager and pantomime villain Diogo Dalot, and a collection of storylines that are becoming hard to believe. Amid the supervillains, there are the unmistakable petty culprits who have brought United down to 18th place in the Premier League and Michael Carrick wondering how much longer he can survive.

Within four minutes, United were two goals behind and wondering if they could perform another miracle as they did against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday. Compared with the start of the season, there is more fight and anger in this team, inspired by Matheus Cunha, a player who can match talent with desire. It was a fine collective performance from conceding the second until the break, admittedly with Dalot being caught out to allow Alysson through on goal, only to nudge wide on the verge of half‑time.

Dalot is part of the problem, an unwitting victim of circumstances, mainly that he is a disappointing right‑back being forced to play out of position because no one saw fit to find a backup for the injury‑prone Luke Shaw at left‑back. The director of football, Jason Wilcox, was targeted by supporters’ chants, suggesting that he leave the club with rather fruity language because he is a key reason that Dalot is bumbling along in a defence that has conceded 30 goals already in all competitions – the joint-most of any side in Europe’s top five leagues.

The Portugal international has been at Old Trafford for more than eight years but it is an overstayed welcome because he is not good enough. Every match involves him committing more and more petty footballing crimes that are adding up to a long charge sheet for someone who claims to be an experienced defender. He is so often found out of position, a first-time observer could think he is playing left-wing or central midfield.

Against Roma he was at least partly culpable for the Italian side’s two goals because he had lost his bearings. United got away with it that night and were given the chance to rectify the tactics and Dalot’s understanding of what a full-back should do, instead of acting as a catalyst for chaos that United could do without. Within a minute, however, he was confused about whether to go towards Alysson on the edge of the box or leave the Brazilian to his own devices. He chose the latter option, allowing the winger to get a shot away and through Senne Lammens’ legs for another dreadful mistake.

The 20-year-old Alysson arrived in the country in January but already looks a settled Premier League talent, and had the better of Dalot for the entire time the two were on the pitch.

Getting to 2-2 was an achievement and United were in the ascendancy but returned without Harry Maguire for the second half, putting greater responsibility on the shoulders of Dalot, who now had Ayden Heaven beside him. Dalot has 40 caps for one of Europe’s best national teams but none of that was evident when he tripped Alysson inside the box, allowing John McGinn to swing the momentum in Villa’s favour.

Dalot lasted until the 66th minute when Carrick had seen enough, getting his ejection held aloft in red. At least with the new rules, Dalot was forced to jog off within 10 seconds to speed up his exit after a disastrous day’s work. The United fans cheered when it was clear he was being substituted, preferring Patrick Dorgu. It was a rather underwhelming changing of the guard but everyone has had enough of the Red Devil they know.

Elsewhere, Dalot’s form would have led to him being dropped for repeated poor performances but United do not possess serious squad depth. They have won once in 10 league matches to leave them deservedly in the relegation zone after more than a quarter of the season. Dalot is a symptom of United’s chronic problems, with the simple truth that despite the results being appalling, no one on the bench, apart from the teenager Shea Lacey, is challenging for a starting berth.

No one likes to see an individual be the focal point of criticism for tens of thousands, especially as Dalot is merely a scapegoat. He shouldn’t be at left‑back or still even at the club because he has shown himself to be below par for far too long but there is a lack of cut-throat behaviour to rid themselves of the ineffectual. Without Dalot’s ineptitude, life this week would have been considerably easier for United. Of course, there were celebrations at full-time after another dramatic comeback but it was not a win on any level.