“In his age group, he’s the perfect full-back in Europe.”
That is how former Manchester United supervisor Jose Mourinho described Diogo Dalot following his arrival at Outdated Trafford from Porto.
Dalot arrived in England aged 19 and Mourinho’s feedback weren’t exaggerated. The defender had represented Portugal from under-15 to under-21 degree and regardless of making solely seven first-team appearances for Porto, he got here with a popularity as one of the vital promising full-backs on this planet.
Mourinho gushed over his new recruit and backed him to be an enormous success on the membership. He stated in 2018: “Diogo is a particularly gifted younger defender with all of the qualities to shortly grow to be a fantastic participant for this membership. He has all of the attributes {that a} full-back wants: physicality, tactical intelligence and technical high quality, mixed with a Porto Academy mentality which prepares gamers for the maturity they want on the skilled degree.”
Quick ahead two years and Dalot finds himself at a crossroads in his profession after being shipped out on mortgage to AC Milan through the summer time switch window.
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Accidents and the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka restricted Dalot to only 11 appearances in all competitions final season, taking part in simply 65 minutes within the Premier League. Subsequently, it was no shock to see United offload the Portuguese regardless of him being a favorite amongst supporters.
One factor is for sure, Dalot shouldn’t be categorised with the likes of Chris Smalling, Alexis Sanchez and Andreas Pereira – gamers who have been loaned out as a result of they’d or haven’t any future at Outdated Trafford. It’s telling that United refused to incorporate an possibility to purchase as a part of Dalot’s mortgage to Italy. United’s determination to take action already appears to be like justified following Dalot’s first two appearances for Milan.
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The defender made his debut within the Europa League in opposition to Celtic on October 22 and stole the headlines seven days later in opposition to Sparta Praha whereas that includes as a left-back. Within the second half, Dalot discovered house down the Milan left and delivered an inch-perfect cross with the skin of his proper boot which discovered the onrushing Rafael Leao to double their lead on the San Siro. 9 minutes later, Dalot opened his account for Milan. The teenager made a run from inside his personal half to use Praha’s excessive line earlier than ending expertly on his left foot.
Diogo Dalot’s run from deep throughout Milan aim.
(Picture: Wyscout)
Whereas it’s nonetheless too early to evaluate Dalot’s spell away from the membership, United are ready to win it doesn’t matter what occurs subsequent. Experiences in Italy counsel Milan are already eager to debate a everlasting deal for him, however United nonetheless maintain all of the playing cards due to their determination to refuse the option-to-buy clause. Ought to his spectacular performances proceed and United select to money in, his value will solely enhance, be that for Milan or one other social gathering. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can then use the funds generated from Dalot’s sale to purchase the world-class defender he wished and did not get through the summer time.
Nevertheless, there isn’t any purpose why Dalot can’t have a long-term future at United. He has three years remaining on his contract and remains to be United’s greatest attacking full-back bar Alex Telles. Nobody can query Wan-Bissaka’s skill defensively however his offensive output stays a trigger for concern. Can Dalot oust the previous Crystal Palace man as a assured starter? Possibly not. Can he present Solskjaer with a viable various at right-back? Undoubtedly.
The United boss has already experimented with a variety of formations this season, discovering success with wing-backs in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain – a system that might go well with Dalot to a tee. He celebrated his first Milan aim by checking his pulse and if he continues to showcase his skills in Italy, he may discover his United profession remains to be alive.
