Man Utd star slammed over ‘unacceptable’ decision during Real Sociedad clash | Football

Robbie Savage slammed Manchester United star Diogo Dalot for an ‘unacceptable’ decision during the Europa League clash with Real Sociedad.

United’s struggles in the final third continued in the first-half of their Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against La Liga side Sociedad.

Ruben Amorim’s side, currently 14th in the Premier League, created little of note, though struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund could have broken the deadlock had one of his team-mates been more alert to the opportunity.

Dalot raced down the right flank and had Hojlund to aim for in the box after the Denmark international used his pace and strength to beat his man.

But Dalot inexplicably decided to cut back and the attack soon broke down, much to the frustration of former Premier League midfielder Savage.

‘People can criticise Rasmus Hojlund for not scoring in 18 games but look at that there,’ Savage said on TNT Sports’ commentary.

‘He’s made the run. Why on earth has Dalot not played that ball across? If I’m the manager, I’d be screaming at him.

‘Hojlund is in, he’s goal-side of the defender. It’s an easy pass, just roll it across. That’s unacceptable.

‘People can criticise Hojlund but he’s made the right run there and got past the defender. He still didn’t get the opportunity.

‘That’s not acceptable from Dalot. If I’m the manager I would be absolutely hammering him right now. What is going through Dalot’s mind there?

‘You can see Hojlund is in… pass it! That was the perfect opportunity for Man United and Hojlund.

‘I just don’t know why he doesn’t roll it across to Hojlund. That is a great example of the lack of service he gets. He’s been lively so far but has nothing to show from it.

‘Maybe I’m going on about it too much but it’s unacceptable. It was such a good opportunity to score.’

Speaking at half-time, Manchester United great Paul Scholes added: ‘Dalot should have squared it to Hojlund. For him not to say that is criminal really.

‘Any right-back in the world should see that. It should have been an easy goal for Hojlund.’

Hojlund had not scored in his previous 18 appearances for Manchester United ahead of the Premier League club’s trip to Spain on Thursday.

Old Trafford legend Gary Neville admitted Hojlund’s form was a ‘worry’ after he was subbed off for teenage striker Chido Obi-Martin in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham.

‘Hojlund had a really difficult game, it was a worry. That was my biggest takeaway from the game, there’s a lad that now hasn’t scored in 18 games.

‘I have to say I think he’s got a bit of talent and has something physically. But he’s shot at the moment and he’s really struggling. It’s sad.

‘You could see when he was subbed off, there was almost a relief in the stadium because the fans knew he had to come off.’

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