Manchester United emerged 3-0 victors against West Ham United in the Premier League.
It was the wonderkids who took the plaudits on the day. Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund got the goals, but it was a solid performance all around from Erik ten Hag‘s men.
It helped to have a lot of senior squad members back. Casemiro looked back to his best while Lisandro Martinez didn’t put a foot wrong – before sadly departing through injury.
Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot were also excellent at full-back. Danny Murphy couldn’t give them enough praise.
Danny Murphy has high praise for Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot
The full-backs were at their very best against the Hammers. Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Danny Murphy provided an in-depth analysis of the duo, and couldn’t have praised them more.
“I always think United look more accomplished when Luke Shaw’s fit, he’s a super player, good going both ways, but Dalot has really impressed me as well,” Murphy tells BBC.
“When they play at home especially, these two are really positive, and cause problems for the opposition wide men because they just keep going forward.
“Dalot likes getting in that midfield area. He’s got the freedom to do it from his manager, he’s got the confidence. We always see him bombing forward when he plays, whether he’s on the right or the left.”
He then went on to explain how they were a problem for David Moyes’ side.
Murphy continues: “I just think when you’re a wide man like [Ben] Johnson or [Mohamed] Kudus, when you’ve got full-backs like these two being able to defend and play out. It causes you a real problem.
“Just relentless energy. They both look really fit and really hungry. Every time these two are fit and play, United look better going forward especially.
“There was other good performances. [Kobbie] Mainoo has been really good recently, and Casemiro is getting back to his best. But those two go under the radar a bit. I thought they were really good.”
Manchester United duo were at their best
Murphy is spot on with all he said. The pair were huge catalysts in Manchester United arguably having their best performance of the season.
The trick is keeping them fit. Although Dalot has been an ever-present force in the United side, Shaw has been sidelined a lot this season.
Keep these two fit, and Manchester United look a different beast.