Dalot’s muddled performances are just another symptom of Old Trafford chaos | Will Unwin

The stand-in left-back has become a pantomime villain but United fans are understandably struggling to focus their ire

Sporting success is, supposedly, a nigh-on irrelevance to Manchester United’s global brand. The money will stream in regardless thanks to the behemoth company it has become, leaving behind its football club roots and becoming the world’s greatest soap opera creating the sort of drama of which Phil Mitchell can only dream.

There is a strong cast of characters from the hated billionaire owners to the under‑pressure manager and pantomime villain Diogo Dalot, and a collection of storylines that are becoming hard to believe.