On Wednesday evening, Manchester United starts the new Champions League season at FC Bayern. Coach Erik ten Hag, who was already active for the Munich team, previously mentioned a surprising weak point in the German record champions.
Of all people, it is Alphonso Davies, who many consider to be one of, if not the, best left-backs in the world of football, who ten Hag does not consistently rate as outstanding.
Davies “is very offensive” in his style of play and has great speed, said ten Hag. However, the Canadian is “not a great defender,” the Dutchman continued. That’s why he called Facundo Pellistri into the starting eleven.
The Uruguayan didn’t play many minutes for the Red Devils in 2023/24 and was only a supplementary player in the previous season. However, like Davies, he has great speed and can also hold his own defensively and is therefore the perfect opponent for the Bayern star, says ten Hag, who once coached FC Bayern II.
An assessment that could turn out to be dangerous: with around 50 percent of duels won, Davies is not really weak in these statistics for a full-back who also often dribbles in the opponent’s half.
In the end, however, it is up to the 22-year-old to give ten Hag the right answer on the pitch.
Not an easy situation for FC Bayern
Davies emphasized extensively in 2023/24 that he fundamentally has an outstanding influence on the game. The national player has already prepared three goals in five competitive games for FC Bayern.
It’s no wonder that the people of Munich reportedly want to keep their star beyond the summer of 2025. But it probably won’t be an easy project. There are persistent rumors that Davies has long had his word with Real Madrid and will not extend his contract with FC Bayern, but will instead seek a farewell.
In this case, Bayern would probably take action after the current season to prevent a free transfer.