Dalot could cost Carrick his job, warns Crook
On a bright Sunday at Old Trafford, Manchester United watched Diogo Dalot’s second‑half penalty hand them a 4‑4 draw with Aston Villa.
chief Alex Crook said the Portugal international’s performance was unacceptable.
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Crook warned that Michael Carrick’s habit of picking Dalot each week could cost the former midfielder his job at Man United.
Dalot was caught out of position before Villa’s opener and brought down Alysson three minutes into the second half, conceding the spot‑kick.
John McGinn converted the penalty, killing United’s momentum after they had levelled the score before the break.
Leon Goretzka then restored Villa’s two‑goal lead, leaving Carrick’s side still reeling after only one win from their first ten Premier League matches.
Dalot was withdrawn after 66 minutes to a chorus of cheers from the Red Devils crowd.
The 27‑year‑old defender has already attracted heavy criticism this season.
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Crook described Dalot as a “one‑man wrecking ball” during his analysis, Getty reported.
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Former player Micky Gray added that Dalot’s mistakes were “worse than schoolboy” errors.
Gray also complained that Dalot’s clumsy challenge on Alysson produced a “blatant” penalty.
Crook noted that Dalot has now featured in 260 games for Manchester United over eight years, surpassing the appearance totals of Eric Cantona, Jaap Stam, Andrei Kanchelskis and Dimitar Berbatov.
He added that Dalot is “not fit to lace their boots”.
Dalot has started eight of United’s first ten league fixtures this season.
Academy graduate Harry Amass, aged 19, has seen his potential minutes taken each week by Dalot.
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Crook doubts Amass will break into the first team while Carrick continues to back the Portuguese defender.
chief warned that Carrick is “on a hill he might die on” if he persists with Dalot.
He said United were bottom of the table at one stage on that afternoon, a situation not seen since 1930.
Crook concluded that refusing to change the line‑up gives the impression the manager does not know how to alter the club’s direction.
Patrick Dorgu replaced Dalot and later scored a last‑minute equaliser, while Joshua Zirkzee had already netted in stoppage time as United rallied from 4‑2 down to secure the draw.