Michael Carrick has publicly defended Diogo Dalot after the Portuguese defender came under fire from supporters during Manchester United’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday. Dalot conceded a penalty in the second half when he tripped Villa’s Alysson inside the area, an incident that allowed John McGinn to convert from the spot. The match itself was a chaotic affair featuring multiple lead changes and two stoppage-time goals for United, but much of the post-match discussion centred on the 27-year-old full-back and the negative reaction he received from sections of the home support.
The criticism raised familiar questions about whether Carrick sympathised with the frustration in the stands and whether Dalot’s place in the starting line-up was under threat. The United head coach addressed both issues with a measured response, insisting that while he understood the disappointment, the player’s overall contribution to the club deserved recognition. Speaking at his post-match press conference, which was published on the club’s official website on Monday, Carrick was careful not to single out the defender for blame.
“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,” Carrick said. “We’re all frustrated. We’re all disappointed. And the players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that.”
The United manager went on to stress the effort Dalot has consistently brought to the team, noting that the defender has operated in several roles, including at left-back, and has performed well in spells. Carrick acknowledged the error that led to the penalty but framed it as an isolated moment rather than a reflection of the player’s value.
“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,” Carrick explained.
Beyond the technical assessment, Carrick highlighted Dalot’s character and the influence he exerts behind the scenes. According to the United boss, the defender’s commitment extends well beyond matchday, shaping the atmosphere within the squad and the wider culture of the club.
“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,” he added.
On the question of whether Dalot would keep his place for the next fixture, Carrick was keen to separate team selection from any appraisal of individual performance. He described the decision over who plays as a distinct matter from the assessment of what a player contributes, and he pointed to the next game as the immediate focus. When asked directly whether Dalot was coping with the criticism, the United manager offered a brief, affirmative response.
The draw with Aston Villa capped another eventful outing for United, who twice fought back and scored in stoppage time to claim a point from a contest that swung repeatedly. Carrick admitted his disappointment at failing to win a game in which he felt his side had performed well for long stretches. He pointed to the moments his team conceded, particularly goals arriving in tight clusters, as the factor making life unnecessarily difficult.
“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,” he said.
Assessing the overall display, Carrick believed United were the better side for much of the match, applied most of the pressure, defended solidly and pressed effectively. He lamented that the goals gifted to the visitors shaped the contest, though he took some encouragement from a strong finish that salvaged something from the game. Asked whether the repeated defensive lapses stemmed from a lack of concentration, Carrick rejected the notion that his players were not switched on, describing the errors as one-off moments rather than part of a pattern.
Looking ahead, the United manager expressed full confidence that the team can improve, describing the goals conceded as something that must be addressed drastically. He maintained that there is more than enough quality within the squad and that the side is simply making things too difficult for itself at key moments. The international break now offers an opportunity to regroup, with Carrick indicating that the squad will train, take a couple of days off and prepare for the next fixture. He also confirmed that Harry Maguire was withdrawn at half-time because of a severe back spasm, a new issue for the defender.
Reflecting on a turbulent run of fixtures, Carrick said he remains clear about the direction the team needs to take and how to get there, adding that the coming week would follow a normal international routine of training and preparation.
