Pedro Neto is showing his tactical importance in Enzo Maresca’s system

Signed from Wolves for a fee around £50 million, Pedro Neto has had an uphill task of wining a starting spot after the early season forays from Noni Madueke as the starting right winger.

Since joining, Neto has only started three premier league games prior to this but struggled to impress when starting (Bournemouth away).

On occasions of starts, Enzo Maresca has shunted Neto out wide to the left as a left wing to accommodate the then perceived ‘in-disposable’ Noni Madueke due to the latter’s form.

With Noni now struggling as the starting right winger, we ask the question; “is it time for Neto to be given a run as the Right winger?

Starting on the left today, Pedro Neto looked the most dangerous of the attacking options in blue with his pace and intensity in the 1V1 posing serious threats to the United backline despite not getting as much service as Noni did on the other flank.

In comparison, Noni could only muster 1/3 completed dribbles in 34 touches while only wining 2 of his 8 contested ground duels.

On the other hand, Neto who completed the duration of the game had 45 touches of the ball, completed 2 of 4 attempted dribbles and massively contributed off the ball with 8 out of 13 ground duels won by the Portuguese.

While both on the pitch, Noni consistently struggled to beat his marker and his deliveries off the right were once again abysmal as he completed zero crosses.

The English international also seemed a bit nonchalant while tracking back and was guilty of ‘over-playing’ on occasions, almost costing the team.

Neto on the other flank looked to positively influence the game either through beating his marker (2/4 completed dribbles) or taking shots at goal ( 2 shots at goal).

Neto remains more committed to the team than Noni and considering the 24- year old prefers to play on the right as a right winger, Noni’s time as the starting option might just be up for the next games.

Ahead of the London derby next weekend against Arsenal at the bridge, Maresca has huge decisions to make with Mudryk also pushing for a start in the premier league.