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Not a midfielder: Ruben Amorim reveals surprise Man Utd transfer priority
Tom Weber
- Updated: 28 Nov 2025 16:37 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says that he needs a second Amad Diallo for his system to work properly.
The Portuguese has come in for fierce criticism this week after Man Utd's dreadful 1-0 loss to 10-man Everton on Monday. During the game, Amorim took off left wing-back Patrick Dorgu and replaced him with Diogo Dalot, who struggled to have an offensive impact.
This decision drew the ire of Red Devils legend Gary Neville, who called it "embarrassing." He would have preferred Luke Shaw on the left, even though he wasn't particularly complimentary of the England international's performance either.
Compared
Diogo Dalot
D (R), M (RL)
Man Utd
Diogo Dalot
D (R), M (RL)
Man Utd
VS
Luke Shaw
D (L)
Man Utd
Luke Shaw
D (L)
Man Utd
|
|
ETV |
|
| €33.9M - €41.5M | ETV Range | €11.4M - €14M |
| 26 years old (18 Mar, 1999) | Age | 30 years old (12 Jul, 1995) |
|
Portugal
|
Nationality |
England
|
"Ruben Amorim has a question to answer," Neville said. "Bringing Dalot on over there in front of Luke Shaw? I don't quite see it. You have five at the back. Why? Embarrassing."
Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace, Amorim admitted that a lack of a more suitable replacement for Dorgu is regrettable and that he ideally wants another attack-minded player like Amad Diallo for that position.
Amorim: We need another Diallo
Diallo has primarily played at right wing-back this season, although he started on the left side of the attack against Everton as Matheus Cunha was a late omission after taking a knock to the head in training, from which he has yet to fully recover.
Although the Ivorian has faced questions over his defending, he has been useful going forward, contributing with a goal and three assists so far this term. According to Amorim, Man Utd need a Diallo-style player on the left.
"We need time to improve the characteristics of the team," he explained. "I've said that over the last year. To give an example, in the last game, we should have an Amad with the right foot to put on the other side to play against 10 men.
"It is these characteristics that, in time, we will try to get to be a better team. If we are the perfect set-up to play in this way, not yet. But like any team, we need time to put the right characteristics into every position."
Amorim also dismissed suggestions that his back-three system is similar to Oliver Glasner's at Crystal Palace, but he did acknowledge that they are doing a much better job right now than Man Utd.
"You don't say that all 4-3-3 teams play in the same way," he insisted. "We play in a different moment, we defend in a different space, we attack in a different way. They are just doing things better than us."
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