Micah Richards ‘disillusioned’ by Manchester United defender’s performance in Bournemouth draw

The Red Devils’ back-line once again leaked a host of chances (Pictures: Match of the Day / BBC)

Micah Richards has singled Diogo Dalot out for criticism following Manchester United’s draw with Bournemouth and feels his display summed up the team’s lack of defensive organisation.

Erik ten Hag’s side fell behind twice in Saturday evening’s match, with a brace from Bruno Fernandes cancelling out strikes from Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert.

United were a tad fortunate to escape with a point, with a stoppage-time penalty for the Cherries changed to a free-kick right on the edge of the box after an intervention from VAR.

The Red Devils gave up another 20 shots in the contest – and 2.39 Expected Goals – and Richards felt the right flank of Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho was a big problem for United.

Highlighting the team’s defensive issues, Richards said on Match of the Day: ‘It was Man United’s right-hand side. I was a bit disillusioned with what was going on.

‘So Dalot goes inside – we know full-backs do that, we showed that [earlier] with Spurs – and the reason why he’s doing that is so Garnacho could be free.

‘But he goes into one position, then he goes into another position, but he doesn’t affect Bournemouth in any way.

Dalot had a difficult evening against Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)

‘Bruno Fernandes is telling him to go back in his position, the centre-halves are not going wide [to cover].

‘They win the first ball but lose the second ball, and now a young player – Wily Kambwala – has been exposed to Solanke. Yes, Solanke does ever so well, but where is the protection?’

Showing a host of chances Bournemouth spurned in the first half, Richards continued: ‘They just got it wrong today.

‘Dalot has actually been really good this season but he’s running down blind alleys.

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‘And then Kambwala doesn’t get tight and now look how easy it is to go back to front [for Bournemouth]. It is too easy. Too easy to go through the midfield. It could have been four or five in that first half.’

As footage of Bournemouth’s second goal played, Richards added: ‘But this is the worst one. Kluivert gets in space, Kambwala is pointing to Dalot, Dalot puts up his arms, Garnacho is not blocking the pass into Kluivert and then he goes and scores.

‘So when you’re looking at Man United, there’s no organisation, no-one is speaking. And just look at this: 574 shots faced this season.’

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