Why Manchester United should allow Diogo Dalot to join AC Milan permanently
According to Tuttosport (h/t Manchester Evening News), AC Milan have inquired about the permanent transfer of Diogo Dalot from Manchester United. The youngster joined the Italian side this season on a one-year loan deal.
United refused to put in an obligation to buy clause in the contract. However, with his performances, Milan are looking at a permanent transfer and are likely to ask Manchester United about a possibility of the same. (h/t Manchester Evening News)
Profile
Diogo Dalot is a 21-year-old Portuguese right-back who plays for AC Milan, on loan from Manchester United. He started his youth career at Escola de Formacao Fintas in 2007 but moved to Porto’s academy the next year.
In the next few seasons, he played for their youth sides, progressing through the lower-age teams. While he was in the Porto B team, he was called up to play a Taca De Portugal game for the senior side against Lusitano GC. He made his first league appearance in the next year against Rio Ave FC in February 2018.
After just 8 appearances for the senior side, Manchester United signed him ahead of the 2018-19 season. A lot was expected from Dalot as he was thought to be the long-term solution to Manchester United’s right-back issues. However, things have been difficult for the youngster.
In two seasons for the club, he has made a paltry 35 appearances while scoring once and assisting thrice (h/t Transfermarkt). Finally, he was allowed to leave on loan to AC Milan where he has featured in 4 games so far. Dalot has been a regular for the Portugal youth sides but is yet to be called up to the senior team.
Manchester United should allow Dalot to leave on a permanent deal
For a player who was tipped to be Manchester United’s first-team right-back, Dalot’s stock had considerably fallen over the last few seasons. Not only was he behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka, once outcast Timothy Fosu-Mensah was also ahead of the Portuguese. Add to that, Ethan Laird is knocking on the door for first-team football.
Currently Wan-Bissaka is the undisputed first choice at right-back. His performances on a weekly basis are just strengthening his grip on the position. His young age means that he is seen as the long-term option at Old Trafford.
Safe to say, that does not bode well for Dalot when he eventually returns next season. There is virtually no possibility of him displacing the tough-tackling Wan-Bissaka. Now, it could very well be the case that he would not want to be second or third choice at United.
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Verdict
With quite a few options in the position, Manchester United can at least think of the prospect of allowing Dalot to leave on a permanent basis. Obviously they would likely ask for a substantial fee given he still has more than two years left on his contract and is just 21 with potential.
