Masterful man I don't have to replace (8)

I believe the answer is:

dominant

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'masterful' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'man i don't have to replace' is the wordplay.
'man i don't' can be anagrammed to 'DOMINANT'.
However, I am not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dominant that I've seen before include "Most important or powerful" , "Exercising influence or control" , "overlooking others" , "Authoritative" , "a key" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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