Diogo Dalot has shocked Manchester United fans this season with his performances, notably the improvement off the back of last season and prior years under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The fullback, who can play on either side, is now widely considered one of the best in the league, completely displacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the United side and also getting called up to the Portugal National Team.
Diogo Dalot initially signed for Manchester United in 2018 after Jose Mourinho (manager at the time) expressed heavy interest in the young fullback. Once signed, Jose claimed that Dalot could ‘play for Manchester United for more than 10 years’ and ‘in his age group, he’s the best fullback’.
These were huge statements from one of the best managers ever, putting huge expectations on the back of Diogo Dalot. In his debut start against BSC Young Boys in the Champions League, Dalot impressed heavily, leaving United fans thinking that they have their fullback pairing sorted for the next decade.
However, this was not the case. Diogo Dalot struggled with injuries in his first season causing United to buy a new right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was favoured for the 19/20 season. Dalot went out on loan at AC Milan in 20/21 showing some improvement but was back on the United bench in 21/22 until Michael Carrick started using him. Later, Ralf Rangnick went on to utilise Dalot and now ten Hag has him playing at the ability that Jose predicted, one of the best fullbacks in the league, and world!
The Underlying Figures
Dalot’s ever-presence in the United side this season is no coincidence, he’s a player who’s comfortable in possession, can invert and overlap, and is a good chance creator, hence fits the bill for what Erik ten Hag wants in a fullback.
When compared against the best right-back in the league this season, Kieran Trippier, there are many areas in which Dalot excels and is even better than Trippier in, showing his excellence so far this season. While it appears that Dalot’s passing game is quite weak, Manchester United’s lack of possession in matches must be taken into account, hence Dalot on average completes less passes and less potent passes due to Manchester United currently not being as progressive as Newcastle United.
What has surprised many this season is the significant improvement in the defensive side to his game. Dalot was notoriously known for being weak against wingers, often being bypassed easily. This was the main aspect in which Aaron Wan-Bissaka excelled at and United would miss out on when he was rotated, however that is now not the case. Dalot has come a long way defensively, and you could even argue that his overall defensive game is one of the best amongst Premier League fullbacks, much better than Wan-Bissaka’s.
Nation Representative
As a result of Diogo Dalot’s excellent start to the season, he has received call ups to the Portugal National Team, scoring twice in a UEFA Nations League match against Czech Republic and assisting in Portugal’s recent friendly against Nigeria. Despite Nuno Mendes being a natural left-back, he could see himself losing his place to Joao Cancelo with Dalot coming into the side at right-back, or Mendes could find himself starting alongside Diogo Dalot.
Dalot’s inclusion in the World Cup squad has shown how far he has come on in just a season of regular first team football, half a season under Erik ten Hag where he has had coaching in a defined role played by the best fullbacks in the world. He will without a doubt want to kick on and start games at this tournament, he is capable of doing so!
What’s Next?
Manchester United will want to keep Diogo Dalot and ensure that he stays as FC Barcelona are interested in his services. Dalot’s contract expires this Summer but the club have an optional 12-month extension that they may choose to trigger should contract talks stall. As Mourinho said, United do have a right-back on their hands that can start for them for the next 10 years as long as he stays injury free and continues on his upward trajectory!
