One Of Our Worries Manchester United Player Responds To Startling Statistic
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has acknowledged that the high number of shots conceded by the Red Devils is a cause for concern. During Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, the 20-time English champions faced 12 shots on their goal in the first 45 minutes alone.
At halftime, Manchester United had already allowed a total of 565 shots in the Premier League this season, marking their highest tally in a single campaign since 2003-04. Although the number increased in the second half, Erik ten Hag’s team managed to rally and secure a draw, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a brace, including a penalty.
Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert found the net for Bournemouth in the first half, highlighting another concerning defensive performance by Manchester United.
Dalot emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “It’s been one of our concerns, maybe [we need to] try to be more compact as a team – don’t try to make the gap between defenders and midfield too big.” He added, “Sometimes it is, and they counter on the counter-attack. It’s something we have to improve because it’s been nowhere near good enough for the level of this club.”
He also emphasized the importance of controlling the game and minimizing mistakes, especially individual errors. Dalot stressed the need to avoid such mistakes as opponents are “clinical enough to score” at this level of competition.
“Making mistakes is a natural part of life. The key is how we respond in the next game and the subsequent moments, striving to perform better. That’s the challenge we must overcome – taking responsibility and striving to avoid repeating those errors in future games.”
In the Premier League this season, Manchester United have conceded 48 goals and currently sit in seventh place in the table, trailing fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur by 10 points.
Due to injuries, defenders Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof are all sidelined. Consequently, Aaron Wan-Bissaka had to fill in at left-back against Bournemouth, while Willy Kambwala partnered with Harry Maguire in central defense.
Next, Manchester United will focus on the FA Cup, as they prepare to face Coventry City in the semi-finals next weekend. Additionally, they have six remaining Premier League fixtures this season, with their next two games being against the bottom two teams, Sheffield United and Burnley, both at home.
