Manchester United defender is fighting to win back Erik ten Hag for starting role

When the teams were confirmed at St. James' Park last weekend, it was a surprise to see Diogo Dalot start for Manchester United.

The 'horses for courses' rule was expected to be applied at Newcastle, as Dalot had struggled against the tricky Allan Saint-Maximin in the Carabao Cup final in February, but Erik ten Hag stuck by him and provided him with a start instead.

Although he's failed to reproduce his early season form throughout 2023, Dalot is still considered the first-choice right-back at the club, but that position has been threatened by Aaron Wan-Bissaka enjoying an impressive renaissance.

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Dalot's performance against Newcastle at Wembley, a game in which he hooked at half-time after being yellow-carded for a clumsy challenge on Saint-Maximin, was fresh in the memory, but it wasn't enough for him to stay on the bench.

Before the international break, Wan-Bissaka started the last three games and yet Dalot returned to the starting lineup against Newcastle, which seemed inadvisable considering Saint-Maximin forced him to be substituted in the final.

Of course, United were defeated 2-0 at St. James' Park and the manner of the performances was particularly disappointing, but in fairness to Dalot he did not have the same difficulty up against Saint-Maximin the second time around.

He retained his starting role against Brentford in midweek and he's set for a third consecutive start against Everton on Saturday afternoon, something which Wan-Bissaka had the luxury of prior to the international break.

Wan-Bissaka's days at the club were numbered last year. Ten Hag informed him he could leave at the end of last season, but a once-unlikely battle