Since the arrival of Erik ten Hag as the new Manchester United manager in the summer, Diogo Dalot has arguably been the most improved Man United player.
The Portuguese full-back, who spent the 2020-21 season on loan at AC Milan, has cemented his spot as Man United’s first choice right-back through a number of eye-catching displays that has seen both his defending and attacking game go up another level.
The full-back has started all 12 Premier League games for Man United this season, which is a testament to the faith and belief that ten Hag has in the 23 year-old.
Dalot offers United good balance in both attacking and defending as his ability to play as an inverted midfielder when having the ball is a useful tactic for ten Hag as it allows United to sustain attacks and stop any transition moments that could occur when the ball gets turned over.
Furthermore, Dalot’s ability to provide width to United’s attack has come to the fore this season as earlier this season he provided a delightful cross for Bruno Fernandes to slot home a pinpoint side-foot volley and hand United a 1-0 win over Southampton back in August.
The Porto academy prodigy is also becoming a reliable asset defensively this season, as there has been a marked improvement in his ability to defend at the back post, which was evident in a stellar performance against West Ham on Sunday.
Dalot made three headed clearances and won all four of his tackles as he played a key role in helping United record a fifth straight clean sheet at Old Trafford during their 1-0 win over West Ham
Dalot was signed in 2018 by Jose Mourinho, who had some positive words to say about his fellow countryman. Given the stature of Mourinho and what he has won in the game, it would be extremely difficult for fans to not believe his judgments.
When Dalot officially put pen to paper on signing for Manchester United from FC Porto, his then-manager, Jose Mourinho was quoted saying back in 2018 to the official website, [ManUtd.com] that, “in his age group, he is the best full-back in Europe and we all believe he has a bright future ahead of him at Manchester United.”
However, it could be argued that this put unnecessary high expectations on the former Porto star as he was an 18-year-old making his way in the game and learning the nuts and bolts of playing at the highest level.
It has not always been plain sailing for Dalot as he failed to hold down a regular starting spot at United as Ashely Young started 30 Premier League games in the 2018/19 and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the preferred right back under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
This meant that Dalot struggled to get game time at United and it led to question marks over his long-term future at the club, especially when the club were linked with the then-Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier, who has now since joined Newcastle United.
Dalot did eventually get his chance under interim manager Ralf Rangnick last season as he made 20 appearances. However, when a new manager steps foot into the building, they will want to have a strong look at all the players at the club before deciding which players they would like to be on the journey with.
Mourinho also talked about the mentality of Dalot, and it is beginning to bear fruits for the current Manchester United manager, ten Hag.
“He has all the attributes that a full-back needs: physicality, tactical intelligence and technical quality, combined with a Porto academy mentality which prepares players for the maturity they need at the professional level,” Mourinho said when he signed him.
Mourinho’s words are ringing true now and it is benefitting United four years on. It is also a testament to Dalot’s mentality and reliance that he has managed to turn his Man United career around that has seen him become the undisputed right-back after playing second fiddle to Wan-Bissaka under Solskjaer.