Gary Neville's Post-Match Analysis of Manchester United's Victory
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has singled out two players for special praise following his old club's dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Sky Sports pundit specifically highlighted the contributions of Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot in his latest podcast episode, offering detailed analysis of their performances in this crucial away win.
Patrick Dorgu's Spectacular Strike Earns High Praise
Neville reserved particular admiration for Patrick Dorgu, whose spectacular goal prompted immediate comparison to one of the Premier League's most famous strikes. The former England defender revealed that he received a text message from fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp during the match, with the ex-Liverpool midfielder comparing Dorgu's effort to Tony Yeboah's iconic volley for Leeds United against Liverpool in 1995.
"He's actually just text me and I should have seen it during the game," Neville explained on 'The Gary Neville Podcast'. "He said it was like Yeboah's goal - the one that comes off the bar and sort of... and he's right, it was a brilliant strike."
The pundit went on to analyse Dorgu's development under manager Ruben Amorim, noting how the player's positioning has evolved. Neville observed that Dorgu appears most effective when deployed as a winger rather than in a wing-back role, suggesting this tactical adjustment has unlocked his attacking potential.
"I think where he's been used now, he's obviously a winger," Neville continued. "I mean today, his goal was absolutely brilliant. He can actually be a good wide player who can cause problems for defenders and get crosses in."
Diogo Dalot's Much-Improved Defensive Display
Neville also offered a robust defence of Diogo Dalot, who has frequently faced criticism from sections of the Manchester United support during his time at Old Trafford. The Portuguese full-back delivered what Neville described as a "solid performance" in a more traditional defensive role against Arsenal, operating as a conventional full-back rather than the wing-back position he has sometimes occupied.
"Another player I want to mention actually is Dalot," Neville stated. "Look, he gets a really harsh view at times from quite a few United fans. I actually think there's half a decent full-back there."
The former United captain highlighted several aspects of Dalot's game that impressed him during the Arsenal encounter:
- Aerial ability: Neville praised Dalot's headed clearance against Arsenal's Gabriel in the closing stages
- Athleticism: The pundit noted the defender's physical attributes and mobility
- Defensive positioning: Neville observed improved aggression in closing down opponents
- Technical quality: The former full-back acknowledged Dalot's competence on the ball
Neville concluded his assessment by suggesting that selling Dalot would be a mistake, particularly given that the player was originally brought to the club by Jose Mourinho. He argued that with some simplification of his game, the Portuguese international could establish himself as a reliable defensive option for Manchester United.
The comprehensive analysis from one of English football's most respected pundits provides valuable insight into two players who could prove crucial to Manchester United's ambitions this season. Neville's observations suggest that tactical adjustments and positional changes have helped both Dorgu and Dalot deliver improved performances in important matches.
