Stat highlights Dalot's influence
Diogo Dalot's raids forward have been a feature of Manchester United's attacking play under Erik ten Hag and, of course, he opened the scoring with his second-ever goal for the club, when heading home Christian Eriksen's corner in the 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.
The manager likes his full-backs to help build moves towards the opposing goal, while also maintaining a focus on their defensive duties and this is a key element of that phase of play.
Dalot has definitely embraced these principles and a statistic published by The Opta Analyst on Twitter proves this.
Man Utd 2022-23 https://t.co/O4qn1m4Lhw pic.twitter.com/HQt2gYX2U1
— The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 25, 2022
What was Dalot's celebration about?
ArticleDiogo Dalot has now scored twice for the Reds, after his header against Sheriff.
Bruno Fernandes is well clear at the top of the 'attacking sequence involvements' chart, with 78 in total in the Premier League, including 20 shots, which may be expected considering how integral the Portugal international has been to our approach work.
However, Dalot is in second spot, with 56, after eight shots, 15 chances created and 33 involvements in the build-up to a shot.
Furthermore, that figure covering the build-up to a shot is actually the most registered by a Red this term, one more than Bruno has accumulated.
It suggests the right-back is proving key in the early part of moves that are leading to attempts on goal, which does tally with the impression of him making incisive raids down the flank and trying to make things happen by dribbling past opponents.
MOST BUILD-UPS TO A SHOT
1. Diogo Dalot - 33
2. Bruno Fernandes - 32
3. Christian Eriksen - 27
4. Lisandro Martinez - 26
5. Jadon Sancho - 23
Dalot, clearly flourishing under Ten Hag, is only below David De Gea and Fernandes for minutes played in the division for United this season.
The 23-year-old's 21 blocks in the league is currently the highest figure of any Reds player, and he is defending with real vigour and purpose.
With a goal in Europe now under his belt, to go with a brace for Portgual in their recent win over Czech Republic, it may not be long before the full-back opens his Premier League account.
West Ham United are up next for the Reds, on Sunday, in a final home league game before the break for the World Cup.