Tim Sherwood: Tottenham man ‘won’t be happy’ with his performance against Manchester United

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Tim Sherwood has told The Analysis Show that Tottenham defender Eric Dier will not be happy with the way he defended against Manchester United on Saturday evening – as Spurs suffered a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

Dier, 28, is one of the first names on the team sheet under Antonio Conte – being used in the middle of Tottenham’s back three. Conte has even claimed that Dier can become one of the best players in the world in his position.

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick saw Spurs suffer defeat, despite arguably being the better side. Harry Kane scored a penalty, while Harry Maguire scored an own goal. Ronaldo’s first was the pick of his three goals.

Getting the ball out of his feet from 25 yards, Ronaldo blasted an effort past Hugo Lloris into the top corner. Dier did close him down, preventing a through ball to Fred. Sherwood has criticised his body position.

“You know why he has stopped, because of this run from Fred. It is a good run from Fred, Eric jumps to the left to block the run of Fred. But he cannot turn his body square like that – he has take one in the body, in the face.

“But he goes square, making it easy for the ball to go past him. He won’t be happy with the way he defended here,” Sherwood told The Analysis Show earlier this week, when scrutinising Tottenham’s defending.

Sherwood on Dier: Tottenham star’s decision making under question

Sherwood’s analysis has often been questioned by Spurs fans – especially his recent comments on new signing Rodrigo Bentancur. But his analysis of Dier against Manchester United is bang on.

Dier, perhaps understandably, chooses not to step out of the line in danger of a pass being threaded into Fred. But if he does choose not to step out of line and block from deep, he needs to stand face on to Ronaldo.

Going side on reduces the chances of Dier blocking Ronaldo’s effort. It is a learning curve for Dier, who has not been playing at centre-back for the entirety of his career. Sherwood has got it bang on.