Zirkzee consoles booed Dalot as Carrick defends United full-back after Villa draw

Joshua Zirkzee rose from the Manchester United substitutes’ bench to embrace Diogo Dalot after the full-back was booed off by Old Trafford supporters during Sunday’s Premier League draw with Aston Villa, with interim manager Michael Carrick also defending his player in the post-match press conference.

Carrick made a triple substitution midway through the second half, withdrawing Dalot alongside Amad and Youri Tielemans and introducing Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, and Shea Lacey. The boos that accompanied Dalot’s exit came three minutes after he had conceded the penalty converted by John McGinn to hand Villa the lead in the second half.

Zirkzee, who entered the pitch as part of a fifth change — replacing Bryan Mbeumo at half-time — had stood up and consoled Dalot roughly 15 minutes before his own appearance. He then made an immediate impact, scoring United’s third goal after being set up by Dorgu, before Dorgu himself turned goalscorer from a Bruno Fernandes corner to rescue a point for the hosts.

The Dutch forward is no stranger to a hostile Old Trafford reception. He was booed off barely 30 minutes into United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in late December 2024, which lends his gesture toward Dalot a particular resonance.

Carrick was measured but firm in his defence of the full-back when asked about the crowd’s reaction. “We’ve got to be careful with that, I think,” he said. “I understand the frustration, I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it. We’re all frustrated, we’re all disappointed, and the players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that.”

“Diogo, he gives absolutely everything. He’s played in different positions; he’s played left-back; he’s played really well at times. He gave away a penalty today. Maybe he can do a little bit better, alright, that’s part of it; he’s made a mistake, but he cares an awful lot, and he’s giving everything.”

Carrick added that he values what Dalot contributes beyond the pitch. “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 said, though he noted that team selection for the next fixture would be a separate consideration.

Dalot has featured in all but one of United’s matches across all competitions this season and has started all but two Premier League games, operating on both the left and right sides of defence throughout the campaign.