It has been a cat-and-dog fight over who nails a starting spot for Manchester United at the right back position since Erik ten Hag was appointed manager.
Diogo Dalot and Wan Bissaka, the two most recognized right-back players in the squad, are vying with every opportunity presented to them to stake their claim to why they each deserve to be a regular starter in the role.
Diogo Dalot unanimously made the position his own at the start of the season, with Wan Bissaka forced to settle for a bench role and struggling with injuries.
Diogo Dalot, 23, was agreeably more suited for Erik Ten Hag's high pressing football due to his attacking attributes, and the Portuguese performed arguably well starting every game until the World Cup break occurred.
The Portuguese returned from the World Cup tournament with a hamstring injury and have been in and out of the team ever since. Wan Bissaka ensured he made the most of the Portuguese's injury as he staked his claim to the right back position. Already being rumored and linked with a move away from Old Trafford in January, the 25-year-old showed the manager what he could do and even had a go at contributing to the team's attacking plays. That made the right-back position a competitive spot for the duo.
The England international was ruled out of Wednesday's Premier League clash with Leeds United due to illness, and Diogo Dalot filled in for him. The Portuguese reminded the Old Trafford crowd why he is the better right-back option for the manager as he registered his 6th assist of the season.
His well-placed cross was met by Marcus Rashford, who headed the ball home to get Manchester United back into the game after trailing Leeds United by two goals. They would eventually settle for a draw, thanks to Jadon Sancho's goal.
The Red Devils are set to face Leeds United again on Sunday on their home turf at Elland Road. Aaron Wan Bissaka is yet to be declared fit for the encounter, but Erik Ten Hag is optimistic about the player's fitness.
Diogo Dalot was quizzed about the possibility of losing a starting berth to Wan Bissaka on Sunday, and the 23-year-old gave a rather surprising reply.
"It’s the standard at this club." You have to compete for a position in a healthy way. "As long as we keep this competition, I think it’s going to be better for us as a team," Dalot told club media last month.
"We have at least two or three players per position, which can be a bigger headache for the manager, but for us, as a team, it’s the best thing because we have quality."
"When one player cannot play, the other will play and do the job as well, so I think it all benefits the team." I think that’s most important."
Manchester United are playing against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, four days after their midweek Premier League clash. Diogo Dalot, however, believes having a full squad is to the team's advantage as it helps deal with the hectic schedules of matches.
"If you want to reach the finals, if you want to win competitions, you’re going to play a lot of games," Diogo added.
"You need to have a full squad of good players who are available, ready to play." This squad is getting towards that.
"By having two players per position, I think that gives us quality, but it also brings more responsibility to each of us."
"Every time we have an opportunity to play, we have to give our best because we know that there’s someone who wants to play in your position as well."
"This responsibility has to be good for us, but in a way that, collectively, we can reach good things."
Wan Bissaka appears to be proving critics wrong with his performances and has earned praise from Erik Ten Hag.
"Aaron has done very well in the last few games, both defensively and offensively. "There is good competition in the group, but there are a lot of games, so we need them," he told reporters after the 3-0 win against Bournemouth.
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