Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes versatile Northern Ireland defender Stuart Dallas is one of the most underrated players in English football.
Fletcher singled out Dallas for his dynamic and tactically astute performance in Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday.
He also believes the 29-year-old’s ability to switch between a normal left back position and more advanced role in midfield is perfect for Marcela Bielsa’s system.
“He was the most influential player on the pitch and tactically he was perfect,” Fletcher told BBC’s Match of the Day 2.
“He was everywhere and a threat all afternoon - great energy, great speed, great intensity and great quality. It was an unbelievable man of the match performance.
“He’s an underrated player throughout the league, but not by Leeds fans.”
Fletcher believes Dallas’ instincts and ability to switch positions allows Bielsa to mix-up his tactical approach from a back four to back three during games.
“It starts from whatever formation the opposition plays and he (Bielsa) always likes to outnumber their centre forwards,” he said.
“We know Sheffield United have two strikers so that means a tactical switch. Luke Ayling, the normal right back, drops in beside the centre backs and Dallas drops into midfield.
“When you think of a left back dropping into midfield, (you think) he’ll be a defensive midfielder, but he was anything but. He was everywhere.
“This was just a constant throughout the game and his performance was fantastic. Credit to him, to be tactically that versatile, it’s perfect for Bielsa.
“Leeds are constantly changing throughout the game off the back of the other team’s formation, so I can't speak highly enough of his performance.”
Former Crusaders winger Dallas had 91 touches against Sheffield United and one effort cleared off the line, while his touch map backed up Fletcher’s claim that he was “everywhere”.
