Legendary Manchester United full back Paul Parker doubts whether either of the club’s two first-choice wing backs has what it takes to succeed in the role at the top level.
The Red Devils have spent over two hundred million pounds this summer strengthening the squad, but one area that was left relatively untouched was wing back, with Amad, Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw all capable of performing the role. 18 year old Diego Léon was the only addition in that department over the summer.
Parker, one of the best right backs ever to represent the club, was speaking exclusively to The Peoples Person courtesy of WhichBookie and opined that there are still question marks over the position.
Problems on the right
“Wing backs, there’s still issues there,” Parker said.
“Is it going to be [Amad] Diallo or do they need someone who can really play there?
“Mazraoui can play there all day long. He’s the best athlete in the club. He can get up and down.”
It seems that Amorim does not agree with Parker’s assessment as things stand. The head coach has been switching between Amad and Diogo Dalot in the role, with the Moroccan generally preferred as a back-up centre back.
Concerns on the left
More surprisingly, perhaps, Parker also has doubts about the strength of United’s left flank.
“On the left-hand side, I don’t know about Dorgu, I’m really not sure,” the 61-year old said.
“Lethargic, sloppy when it really matters in that final third.
“Really, really sloppy. There’s no grey area with him, which is a worry. Grey areas are good in football because that means you’ve got someone who might give you six and a half out of ten.
“Dorgu is kind of dropping the wrong sides all the time in my opinion.”
“So Mazraoui being back is a plus. But it’s about what the manager wants. If he’s got Mazraoui back, that means there’s a chance he could go to Dalot at left wing back.”
A wing back pairing of Mazraoui and Dalot would certainly strengthen United defensively. But Amorim may want to adopt a more gung-ho approach and will surely need to find a role for Amad, who is arguably too good to be not starting. His other more natural role would be in the right forward position, but there he would be competing with Bryan Mbeumo.
Featured image Patrick McDermott via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
