Manchester United have plans to solve issue exposed in Man City win

It is easy to get distracted during the reverie of derby day delight. Ruben Amorim can't afford to.

The Manchester United head coach joked he would enjoy the weekend victory over Man City for just 10 minutes before attention turned back to the wider project and the huge amount of work he still has to do.

A draw would perhaps have been the fairest result at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, though the beauty of the sport is that it is so often not that way at all. United pushed not only for an equaliser, but also for a winner. It was a gamble that paid off.

Yet when Amorim and his coaching staff gathered to analyse the win on Monday morning, they will have been reminded once again of the concern they have in a key position.

Diogo Dalot said after the match players would have to 'suffer' if they were to succeed under Amorim and it is that mentality that keeps him in the United side despite his recent poor performances. The Portuguese full-back can not be criticised for a lack of effort, and has also proven himself a reliable member of the squad, though it is abundantly clear he is not the wing-back required to make the system work.

Dalot has struggled throughout the season, perhaps partly down to his lack of rest, and performance levels have yet to pick-up since Amorim arrived at the club. The Manchester derby display was another reminder of the improvement required at left-back and another of the lack of credible options they have there at the moment.

Not only was Dalot partly at fault for the City goal after he failed to track the run of Josko Gvardiol, but he also offered little in attack and failed to win any of his seven duels for the ball. He committed four fouls, did not successful complete a single cross into the box and lost possession 10 times. Amorim needs a lot more from him.

Yet, for all his flaws, the most damning thing is the 25-year-old is still their most eligible candidate to play there. Luke Shaw is injured, Tyrell Malacia can not yet be trusted to play two matches a week, Harry Amass is not deemed physical enough for the Premier League and there is no wide player who can defend well enough to play in the role either.

Dalot is the only United player to have played in every single match so far this season and has also played the most minutes of anyone at the club this campaign. With such consistent availability, it is no surprise he remains such an integral part of the squad under Amorim, even if there are already plans to sign at least one wing-back next year.

It is understood United have already reached an agreement to sign teenage talent Diego Leon from Cerro Porteño, while there is an interest in adding another senior option to the squad as well. However, due to United's tight financial situation and the uncertainty of Champions League qualification, they might only be able to make a loan move next month, meaning Dalot could retain his starting role for most of the season yet.

United have plans to solve their problem position, they just can't do it yet.