Paul Scholes believes 24-year-old Manchester United star isn’t good enough for big games

Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has expressed skepticism about Diogo Dalot’s mental resilience for high-stakes games, hinting at concerns about the right-back’s overall quality.

Dalot, deployed on both flanks due to left-back injuries, faced criticism for his role in FC Copenhagen’s third goal during the Champions League Group A clash.

The 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen places United at the bottom of the Group A table, with Dalot’s lapse potentially jeopardizing their Champions League journey.

Scholes, speaking on the Webby and O’Neill YouTube channel, questioned Dalot’s ability to handle pressure in significant matches, particularly citing doubts about his character for crucial encounters.

Scholes remarked, “I’m not sure if the right-back’s good enough, [Diogo] Dalot when it comes to the big games. I’m not sure his character is big enough to handle the big games.”

While acknowledging defensive improvements from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scholes highlighted concerns about the team’s balance and raised questions about Dalot’s contribution in crucial fixtures.

Manchester United’s struggles with defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of cohesion have been evident, with nine losses in 18 matches across competitions.

The team’s defensive frailty, conceding 30 goals, is a pressing issue that needs resolution.

Erik ten Hag, facing an injury crisis, has employed a 4-2-4 formation in recent games, emphasizing defensive responsibilities for fullbacks.

Despite Dalot’s selection as the primary right-back last season under Ten Hag, Wan-Bissaka reclaimed his spot due to concerns about the offensive capabilities of both right-back options.

As United grapples with a delicate balance and defensive challenges, the scrutiny on players like Dalot intensifies, adding pressure on the team to find a cohesive and effective defensive strategy.