Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has defended Diogo Dalot following criticism from supporters after the Portuguese defender conceded a penalty in the club’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Dalot tripped Aston Villa’s Alysson in the penalty area, leading to John McGinn converting from the spot during the encounter, which featured several twists and two stoppage-time goals for United.
The defender also received a negative reaction from sections of the home supporters, prompting questions about whether Carrick understood their frustration and whether Dalot should be dropped from the team.
However, the United manager insisted that the 27-year-old gave everything for the club, acknowledging his mistake while highlighting his contribution to the team.
Speaking in his post-match press conference published on the club website on Monday, Carrick said, “We’ve got to be careful with that, I think. I understand the frustration. I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it. We’re all frustrated. We’re all disappointed. And the players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that.”
Defending Dalot, he added, “Diogo gives absolutely everything. He’s played in different positions. He’s played left-back. He’s played really well at times. He gives a penalty away today. That’s, you know… he knows that. Maybe he can do a little bit better. Alright, that’s part of it, he’s made a mistake.”
The former United midfielder further praised the defender’s attitude and influence within the dressing room, saying, “But he cares an awful lot, and he’s given everything. So I like what he brings to the team.
“I like what he brings to the group. I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we’ve got.”
On whether Dalot would retain his place in the team, Carrick said the decision was separate from his assessment of the player’s contribution.
“Picking the team and who plays the next game, that’s a whole different decision. But it’s a whole different game that we’ve got to look forward to now,” he said.
When asked whether Dalot was coping with the criticism, the United manager simply responded, “Yeah.”
The draw against Villa came after another eventful outing for United, who scored twice in stoppage time to secure a point after a topsy-turvy contest.
Carrick admitted that he was disappointed his side failed to win despite believing they had performed well for much of the encounter.
“Yeah, there was a lot happened in the game there. It’s just the moments that are making it [difficult]. We’re kind of beating ourselves a little bit, with the moments really that we’re giving away and goals that we’re giving away in tight clusters, that are making it a lot more difficult,” he said.
The United boss added, “Football’s about moments. Football’s about what happens in both boxes in the end, where I think you take the moments that are totally avoidable, goals that we’re giving away.”
Assessing his team’s overall performance, Carrick said, “I actually thought we’ve played pretty well and were the better team for the most part, and I’m disappointed that we still haven’t won the game, to be truthful.”
He continued, “I thought we had most of the pressure. I thought we defended well, pressed well. We’re just giving them the moments that shape the game in some ways and then finished strongly and took something out of the game but still disappointing that we haven’t actually won it.”
Asked whether United’s repeated defensive lapses were down to a lack of concentration, Carrick rejected the suggestion that his players were not switched on.
“No, they are switched on and concentrated. It’s a variety of things, a variety of type of goals, so there’s not a theme to it apart from there’s one-off moments catching us out at the moment,” he said.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that the team could improve after the international break.
“Yeah, 100 per cent, yeah. I think there’s more than enough. I think goals change games, and you’ve got to deal with it, and it’s something we have to improve on drastically. But there’s more than enough. We’re just making it too difficult for ourselves at the moment in certain times,” Carrick said.
The manager also confirmed that defender Harry Maguire was substituted at half-time because of a back problem.
“He’s had a really bad back spasm,” Carrick said, confirming that the issue was new.
United will now have a break from competitive action, with several players expected to travel for international duty.
Carrick said the period would provide an opportunity for the squad to regroup and prepare for their next fixture.
“Yeah, it’s been a right mixed week or two or three, really, if you’re looking at the events. But I’m pretty clear where we need to go and how we need to get there,” he said.
He added, “But as a normal international week is, you know, we’ll have some training. We’ll have one or two days off, but not too much. But we’ll train, and we’ll get ready for the next game.”