THE FUTURE OF DIOGO DALOT

Diogo Dalot has found himself on the fringes for large parts of the 19/20 campaign and has been able to accumulate a meagre 577' in all competitions for Manchester United, less than half of what he achieved in the 18/19 season. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka instantly becoming the first-choice RB since joining and the Braga-born player's injury issues, Dalot seems increasingly likely to be on the move this summer in order to secure more first-team football.

Let's have a closer look at the player...

Club Career

Porto

Jose Diogo Dalot Teixeira, widely known as Diogo Dalot joined Porto's youth system in 2008, aged nine. He made his senior debut in January 2017 for Porto's B side, while he played his first game for the first-team in October 2017. Dalot's Primeira Liga debut came in February 2018. Being a young, exciting talent, Dalot started attracting attention from Europe's Elite Clubs, with Jose Mourinho keeping tabs on the attacking fullback. His link-up play with Brahimi, cutting in high from the left flank and putting in lethal crosses, intelligent, non-commital, 'Italian' style of defending, Dalot ticked every box for Mourinho.

Manchester United

After just 8 senior appearances for the Portuguese outfit, Diogo Dalot had convinced Mourinho that he had the capability to replace the ageing and injury-prone club captain, Antonio Valencia. Dalot earned a £19 million move to The Theatre of Dreams in the summer of 2019. Ironically, Dalot was himself suffering from a Meniscal Injury when he joined Manchester United, side-lined for the month of August. Initially joining the U-23s, Dalot made his senior debut in a UCL group stage match against Swiss side, Young Boys. Though, he had to wait till January 2019 to make his Premier League debut due to another injury that had kept him out from October till December. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the reins from Jose Mourinho as interim manager in December. Though Dalot found himself constantly in and out of the first team, he produced decent performances whenever called upon. In fact, the Portuguese fullback had one of his most memorable nights when Manchester United made a trademark "impossible" comeback against PSG in the UCL Round of 16. Dalot was instrumental in the build-up play and won the match-winning penalty for Manchester United.

What Went Wrong?

To be honest, Diogo Dalot has done nothing wrong to lose his place from the squad. But he has been really, really unfortunate with how everything has panned out.

Solskjaer was appointed as permanent manager in March 2019 and went into the transfer market with a resolve to get his defence sorted. He made a record transfer for a defender in Harry Maguire and brought in the impressive Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace. Wan-Bissaka became an instant hit at Old Trafford and completely locked down the right flank with his monstrous 1v1 defending, limiting Dalot to just 11 appearances this season. Add Dalot's injury issues to the mix, and he never had a chance to settle himself in the squad. The versatile Portuguese has struggled for minutes and has fallen down the pecking order, with Brandon Williams preferred to cover for Luke Shaw. With Ethan Laird pushing to make a spot for himself in the squad as well, the problems keep on piling for Dalot. Reportedly, Manchester United are in the market for a LB as well, particularly one of Sergio Reguilon or Alex Telles. Signing a LB allows Solskjaer to shift Brandon Williams to his preferred RB spot as a backup to Wan-Bissaka. Some people have been drawing conclusions that Solskjaer doesn't trust Dalot with a spot in the first-team due to the recent inclusions of Timothy Fosu-Mensah over Dalot at LB when both Shaw and Williams were injured. Therefore, I don't see Dalot slotting in our defence unless there's a change in heart of Solskjaer or Dalot is absolutely dedicated and excellent in training.

The Future of Diogo Dalot

Diogo Dalot has all the attributes to be a great wing-back. He has the versatility to slot in anywhere on the field and has been utilised as a RB, LB, RWB, LWB, RM, RW and even as a second-striker. He's a very intelligent player and has maturity beyond his age. Apart from drilling in great crosses from flanks and his attacking prowess, Dalot is a player who's very good in transition as well. He can read the danger and make a tackle or an interception at the right time. He's not the sturdiest defender but is very intelligent in defence and doesn't allow attackers to just run past him.

Dalot is a really good player with very high potential, but he simply can't break into the Manchester United first-team right now. Wan-Bissaka has made the RB role his own, Luke Shaw has been really good as a left fullback. Add Reguilon/Telles to the mix and the LB spot is locked down as well, while Brandon Williams moves to RB as cover for Wan-Bissaka.

The ex-Porto star will have to reinvent himself as a winger or wide midfielder to be considered as a choice for the first team, which he's completely capable of. But he'll never be guaranteed a starting spot at Manchester United unless he excels in a role and impresses the gaffer.

At the moment, I think it would be best for Dalot to find pastures anew to secure more first-team football. He's in his development years and he shouldn't be wasting his talent sitting on the bench. I would prefer a loan move for him to either a Premier League club or another European club. We shouldn't forget that Dalot's just 21 and full of potential, but he won't be getting enough time to develop in our squad. 

Reportedly, clubs like Barcelona, PSG and Everton seem interested in securing the services of the versatile Portuguese, while Manchester United value him around £30 million.

What are your thoughts on Dalot?

Keep him, Sell him, Loan him?

Leave your thoughts in the comments...