Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has expressed concern over the number of shots his side face, despite manager Erik ten Hag routinely downplaying the issue.
Only relegation-battling Premier League newcomers Luton Town (576) have faced more shots this season than United (574), while the Red Devils have given up over 20 shots in nine of their last ten league games.
Ten Hag, who has been criticised for using a tactical system which leaves huge gaps between the midfield and defence, has regularly defended this issue, claiming the goals conceded stat is more important than just shots alone.
But speaking after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, Dalot insisted United’s tactics leave them too vulnerable at the back and they want to find a solution to this problem.
“I think it’s a fact, something we are looking for. Maybe we are taking too many risks, sometimes the gap between the defence and midfield is a little bit too big,” he said.
![Erik ten Hag, Willy Kambwala, Harry Maguire Erik ten Hag, Willy Kambwala, Harry Maguire](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01hvgj7c1636s3s9z4ks.jpg)
Ten Hag has been bullish in defence of his own tactics / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
“This is why we are sometimes getting the counter attacks too many times and are conceding too many shots, but overall we are looking forward to taking this as a learning process and trying to do better.
“I’m disappointed [with the draw]. We wanted to come here and get the three points. We were down twice, so we had the hunger to fight for the game. I think we lost control in situations we shouldn’t and that was the script of the match.
“I mean, we lost a little bit of control, especially building up from the back in situations where we shouldn’t and we conceded two goals in the first half – we could have avoided that, but overall we have the attitude to fight for the result and that’s a positive to take away.”
United return to action on Sunday at Wembley in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, taking on Championship side Coventry City.