Obviously, Manchester United aren't the underperforming team that they used to be a season ago. Thanks to Erik Ten Hag, the demons of Ralf Ragnick's interim management have been banished from the team.
Erik Ten Hag came in and inherited a team that was broken, disconnected, and directionless, along with a loyal but frustrated fan base that couldn't help but watch their darling club get mocked every time they stepped on the pitch to play.
A big kudos to manager Erik Ten Hag, who has lifted the atmosphere within the club. The Dutch tactician has gotten everyone firing on all cylinders. from the club's backroom staff to the players on the pitch. The icing on the cake is the general team spirit that is undeniably present in the dressing room, coupled with the newly established connection between the players and the fans, especially at home games.
That is as a result of the standard set by the newly appointed Erik Ten Hag. The 53-year-old has instilled a different mentality into the players, and it's evidently shown every time they step on the pitch. Everyone is hell-bent on carrying out his own assigned duties and equally contributing to the team effort as they drive towards the goal of getting the club back among the best on the continent.
Getting into the team has totally been based on merit, or if some teammates got unlucky with injuries, another player is able to get some minutes. This has driven the players to give their all when they are given the opportunity to impress on the pitch because you never know if you will be able to get your place in the team back from your teammate once you are out.
While there are limited positions being fought for by the players, only the versatile players have appeared to enjoy more minutes due to the wide range of options they offer the manager to utilize their versatility. talking about Luke Shaw playing at center back, Fred playing as a 6 and also boxing to box the midfielder. Bruno Fernandes taking his creativity to the right wing, Marcus Rashford playing as a center forward and at the right wing, and Tyler Malacia filling in at the right back for the Red Devils
However, there is one position within the squad that appears to have turned into a tug of war between the two players who are vying to nail down a regular starting berth and make the position their own. That is the right-back position where Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka aren't giving each other a chance to catch their breath.
After Erik Ten Hag's appointment as manager, the former Ajax boss appears to trust Diogo Dalot's abilities, as they fit perfectly with his playing style. That forced Aaron Wan-Bissaka to settle for a place on the bench for almost five months, although he was occasionally out of the team due to injuries.
Diogo Dalot made the right back spot his own, earned a back-to-back starting berth, and impressed thoroughly in attack for Erik Ten Hag's side until the World Cup break occurred. The Portugal international continued his fine form for his country in Qatar but picked up a hamstring injury during the quarterfinals of the competition as they were knocked out by Morocco.
The Portuguese didn't regain fitness until the resumption of domestic football, which made Wan Bissaka fit again to stake a claim to the right spot.
Wan Bissaka arrived under Ole Solskjaer's management and was given the right back position ahead of Diogo Dalot, who eventually left for a loan stint with Serie A side AC Milan. Wan Bissaka wowed the Old Trafford crowd with his defensive abilities but struggled in attack. However, he managed to register four assists and two goals in his debut season.
Under Erik Ten Hag, after he was given a slot at the right back due to Diogo Dalot's struggles with fitness, the England international showed he is capable of giving the manager the satisfaction he needs as long as he is given playing chances. He impressed really well that Old Trafford faithfuls really didn't miss Diogo Dalot's absence.
The manager stated he is impressed by the 25-year-old, who has given him another option he could choose from when it comes to the right back position.
The former Crystal Palace ace started every game for Manchester United (except one where Dalot started but was hauled off before half time) until recently against Leeds United, where he missed even making the match day squad due to injury.
That means fit again. Diogo Dalot could get a starting berth, and the Portuguese didn't forget to remind the Old Trafford crowd again about his attacking prowess. However, who will come out on top and make the right-back position his own? Meanwhile, a certain Brandon Williams and Marc Jurado are lurking around in the background, waiting to show they can get into the first team.
Contrastingly, according to fctables.com, Diogo Dalot has made more appearances than the Englishman, racking up 38 appearances across all competitions for Man United this season while Wan Bissaka has made 22 appearances.
In the attacking aspects of their game, Dalot has scored six times and assisted four more, while Smith has just one assist. Meanwhile, Wan Bissaka has a better completion percentage of 82% compared to Dalot's 72%. Diogo Dalot averaged 1.40 shots per game, while Wan Bissaka averaged 0.32.
Defensively, Diogo Dalot has 12 clean sheets across the 38 games he has played this campaign, while Wan Bissaka has 6.
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