Skipping Dubai and new health regime – How Diogo Dalot turned his Manchester United profession round – Samuel Luckhurst

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Diogo Dalot is not one of the Manchester United players and staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 and in particular has to lament the postponement of the game in Brentford. It should be his fourth Premier League start in a row. Dalot’s longest league run in United XI is three games.

The last of these before its current deployment was in April 2019 and shuddered to a halt in Everton on Easter Sunday. Humiliated 4-0 at Goodison Park, most of United’s players turned to the tunnel at the full-time shrill. Dalot and Scott McTominay approached a deaf far end.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was next to Dalot, would only use the Portuguese in two more league games in two and a half years, despite Dalot’s eight months on loan at AC Milan. Dalot’s start against Arsenal two weeks ago was his first in the Premier League since October 2019.

Dalot only needed one chance. Few players have benefited more from United’s leadership change than Dalot. Little by little he has cemented United’s front-foot approach and his proactive play has been welcomed in contrast to the reluctant Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Ralf Rangnick praised him in his assessment of the 1-0 victories against Crystal Palace and Norwich.

Rangnick highlighted the performances of Dalot and Alex Telles after the previous game. “Our full-backs [played] forward and asked for the ball on the wing. So they played almost like full-backs. Especially in the first half, Alex and Diogo did extremely well offensively and that’s why I played 4-2-2-2. “

Rangnick congratulates Dalot after the Palace game

It’s hard to imagine Wan-Bissaka spearheading such an offensive shift. Dalot tries more pressure than Wan-Bissaka and is more dominant in the air. Several opponents have exposed Wan-Bissaka’s air sickness with misjudged flanks at the far post.

Even during Michael Carrick’s ten-day tenure, Dalot’s progressive positioning for Arsenal’s shots on goal underscored his tactical flexibility. Solskjaer couldn’t master it in the happy home win against Villarreal when Dalot moved into midfield but was held back by Mercury Arnaut Danjuma.

Dalot accepted that Danjuma had persecuted him, but spoke honorably to reporters about the experience afterwards. So far this season he is the only United player to have worked with dedicated correspondents on various occasions after the game.

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Just three weeks ago, Jose Mourinho was considering seeing Dalot again in Rome. Mourinho, who suggested Dalot could be United’s next right-back for 10 years, has been watching Dalot closely since Callum Hudson-Odoi Wan-Bissaka accidentally stepped on his hand at Stamford Bridge. That has almost certainly secured Dalot’s future at United. A source close to Dalot says he is in his prime with United.

When the chance against Arsenal arose four days later, Dalot knew he had to strike the right balance between defense and attack. The conscious Wan-Bissaka is considered to be the safer defender. Dalot tried as much pressure as Marcus Rashford and more than Cristiano Ronaldo, but also won all of his aerial duels.

Dalot’s call-up after eleven hours in the Portuguese squad for the EM caused a sensation. He had offers from AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund as well as other Serie A clubs. He turned them all down, and sources close to the player affirm that he “loves” United. His goal has always been to make it into the club.

Dalot meets Gary Oldman on his first United tour in LA

Dalot meets Gary Oldman on his first United tour in LA

That was unlikely under Solskjaer. With Luke Shaw injured and Brandon Williams banned from the game after restarting at Crystal Palace last July, the multifunctional Dalot seemed safe to start, but his camp was pessimistic. It quickly became clear why. Solskjaer has revived Timothy Fosu-Mensah for his first appearance at United in more than three years. Fosu-Mensah had just entered the final year of his contract and was sold in January.

Dalot had a warm relationship with Solskjaer, and the two had a warm conversation when they emerged from the San Siro tunnel during United’s Europa League game in Milan in March. Dalot, a starter in the first leg at Old Trafford, received positive feedback from Solskjaer and his coaching staff in Italy and in the international match with Portugal.

United had to keep Dalot by their side after making no progress on a potential deal to sign Kieran Trippier. When Roma inquired about Dalot last month, they were told it would not be available until January when United signed Trippier. There is little incentive to continue down this path now.

Solskjaer with Dalot in Milan

Solskjaer with Dalot in Milan

Encouragement for Dalot continued earlier this season, but Solskjaer failed to incorporate his gaming experience into management as a replacement. He was unable to communicate so ruthlessly with players assigned bank roles, and Dalot was never directly told that he was a distant second choice from Wan-Bissaka who was never dropped by Solskjaer.

Dalot expected more opportunities after returning from an exciting season at Milan that kept him fit throughout the season. Dalot joined United while recovering from a meniscus injury that limited him to two appearances in nearly four months. He suffered three more separate and significant layoffs but has been injury free for nearly 18 months and Dalot is meticulous in his recovery sessions, a practice he adopted in Milan.

Mourinho advises Dalot in Anfield

Mourinho advises Dalot in Anfield

During his Christmas holiday in Italy, a number of Italy-based players took a thoughtless winter vacation to Dubai and tested positive for Covid on their return. Dalot skipped the trip and stayed inside, exercising in the gym in his apartment. He had seen how traumatized Italy was by the first wave of Covid and now often avoids socializing in order to limit the risk of contracting the virus.

“It’s no secret that not playing as much as you want is difficult,” said Dalot. “But it’s our job to prepare, and I’ve been doing it for a few months now, especially this season, and to be ready when the time comes to give it my all on the pitch.”

He took his chance.

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