How Diogo Dalot has transformed Manchester United's right side under Erik ten Hag

After being one of the first names on Erik ten Hag's teamsheet prior to the World Cup, few would have anticipated that Diogo Dalot would be the man facing so much criticism in recent weeks.

The Manchester United right-back, after a series of outstanding performances ahead of the showpiece event in Qatar, was proving himself as the Reds' most improved player under Ten Hag, following the Dutchman's arrival at the club last summer. He quickly cemented himself as the former Ajax chief's first choice right-back and seemed both untouchable and undroppable.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's future at the club was in serious doubt and it was telling that Ten Hag preferred Tyrell Malacia at right-back instead of the former when Dalot was suspended for United's 2-1 win over Fulham in their last outing before the mid-season pause. However, since returning from a disappointing World Cup campaign with Portugal, Dalot, though he has not been helped by injury problems, has regressed.

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His performances have been not been convincing and he has failed to replicate the standards that he had set in the first few months of the season. Wan-Bissaka, in light of Dalot's injury problems, has been given the chance to resurrect his United career in the last couple of months and has been the better of the two right-backs in 2023 so far.

However, now that Dalot has returned to full fitness, Wan-Bissaka has struggled for regular opportunities in more recent weeks. Ahead of Sunday's clash with Southampton, Dalot has started each of the last four matches in all competitions, but has been replaced at half-time in two of them, being withdrawn midway through the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley and during