Diogo Dalot outlines tactical demand Erik ten Hag has made ahead of new Manchester United season
Diogo Dalot says Erik ten Hag is asking his full-backs to come inside a lot more frequently and insists he is happy to do so on whichever flank he is played on.
The Manchester United star is a right-back by trade but was used on the opposite flank five times last season, scoring his first Premier League goal in the position during April’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been preferred on the right in pre-season, even when Dalot returned from his extended break following his inclusion in June’s internationals. He started his first game of the summer in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, scoring a pearler to give Erik ten Hag food for thought.
The role of the full-back has altered during the career of Dalot albeit the need to be effective up the field still remains, an area of the game in which he betters Wan-Bissaka. ''Like I've said before, the full-back position has been becoming a little bit more of an important role nowadays,'' Dalot told club media.
Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here
ALSO READ: Hojlund arrives in UK to complete United transfer
''I think in today's game the inverted full-backs are a little bit more involved and more coaches are trying that in the game. We have to just adapt, as you can see full-backs are now going forward a lot more than in past years."
Dalot outlined what duties Ten Hag is asking his full-backs to perform within his system amid the need to both get forward and get back into shape on the transition. He added: ''I believe we now play a little bit more on the inside [coming infield].
"We have to adapt, it's how football is evolving and I think if you have