Manchester United's Diogo Dalot had 'a bit of a nightmare' in their Champions League encounter against Villarreal, Michael Owen has said.
Dalot replaced the suspended Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the United starting line-up against Villarreal following his sending off in their opening Champions League tie against Young Boys.
But Dalot endured a particularly torrid time in the first half against Villarreal as former Bournemouth player Arnaut Danjuma posed a constant threat on the left-wing.
The Villarreal winger forced David De Gea into two early saves – the second only particularly impressive – before sending over a cross for Paco Alcacer to get away a close-range header that needed quick reactions from United’s number one.
United were fortunate to go into the break with the match still goalless as Danjuma continued to prove a nuisance and Alcacer struck wide after a Raphael Varane mistake, with Yeremi Pino forcing De Gea into a save just before the break.
And speaking on BT Sport at half-time, pundit Michael Owen said the Portuguese right back had 'a bit of a nightmare' dealing with Danjuma.
Owen said: "Wow Villarreal have been really good down particularly good down this left side, Dalot has had a bit of nightmare, not sure how he’s going to work this one out Danjuma has been electrifying in parts. It’s just wave after wave."
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Owen Hargreaves agreed as he called upon Mason Greenwood to track back more to help his right back out.
Hargreaves said: "Danjuma has been fantastic, Mason Greenwood has to help Dalot.
"Danjuma one-on-one, he’s near enough unplayable and got the better of Dalot in these situations.
"There’s a reason why this Villarreal side went to Real Madrid and probably should’ve won, they should be ahead in this game and Danjuma has been the biggest threat. Every time he touches it he looks like he’s going to make something happen."
