Former Liverpool player and England international Danny Murphy has criticized the attacking output of Manchester United’s wing-backs, using ex-Nigeria star Victor Moses as an example of the improvement needed.
Murphy noted that when Chelsea successfully used the same 3-4-3 formation that Manchester United is currently employing, their wing-backs, Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses, regularly contributed with goals and assists, often arriving inside the opponent’s box.
The Current SituationManchester United has utilized Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu, and Diogo Dalot in the wing-back roles this season.
Despite the team’s recent good form, Murphy believes there is significant room for improvement, particularly concerning their attacking contribution.”I still think they could get a bit more from their wing-backs,” Murphy told talkSPORT.
He pointed out that Diallo, Dorgu, and Dalot have managed a combined total of zero goals and just three assists so far this campaign.Murphy emphasized the importance of their attacking role: “If you’re playing wing-back, you are getting in great areas, you really are… they need to chip in [with goals and assists].”
A System Mismatch?Murphy also questioned the suitability of some players for the role, specifically mentioning Diogo Dalot: “I like Dalot, he’s a talent, but is he really a wing-back? He’s a right-footer playing at left wing-back.
“The core of Murphy’s argument is that for the 3-4-3 system to be truly successful, the wing-backs must replicate the kind of consistent, goal-scoring, and assisting presence once provided by players like Moses and Alonso at Chelsea.