Diogo Dalot: Carrick makes key decision on Man United star’s future | OneFootball

A host of top European clubs are expressing interest in signing Manchester United fullback Diogo Dalot this summer, according to new report.

Scapegoat or Standout?

Despite being something of a scapegoat amongst United fans, Dalot remains a highly-rated player at Old Trafford, as well as for the Portuguese national team.

The 27-year-old is prone to mistakes and his technique can often be wildly inconsistent, drawing ire from supporters. But he possesses a unique blend of physical attributes, is rarely injured, and is capable of playing on both sides of defence.

The Braga native is also understood to be an excellent presence in the dressing room, having formed part of Ruben Amorim’s six-man leadership team – a role he has maintained under Michael Carrick – and is known for his professionalism and work rate.

Interestingly, United have not lost a game this season in which Dalot has started at right-back, with much of the frustration levelled at him stemming from him being deployed out of position at left wing-back under Amorim.

Carrick has restored him to his favoured position, with an immediate upturn in performance. The 44-year-old Englishman, who is set to become permanent head coach after his impressive interim spell, has internally communicated his wish for Dalot to remain at Old Trafford amid growing interest from abroad.

Eyed by Europe’s Elite

A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed Real Madrid were plotting a summer swoop for the Portugal international as Jose Mourinho, the manager who signed him for United and is set to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu, remains a big fan.

TEAMtalk confirms the Spanish giant is interested, but drops a bombshell that rivals FC Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the situation.

The Catalonians are said to be “seriously considering” Dalot as an option should a deal for Joao Cancelo fail to come to fruition, though the relationship with United is far from ideal with fraught negotiations between the two clubs yet to yield a breakthrough for Marcus Rashford to remain at Camp Nou.

Bayern Munich round off the triple threat of European heavyweights with interest in Dalot. The Bundesliga champions are “firmly in the market for a new right-back” as they want a “more natural long-term solution” than playing midfielders, such as Konrad Laimer, out of position.

However, United are “not looking to force Dalot towards the exit door”, with TEAMtalk instead revealing the club are open to the prospect of a contract extension on improved terms. His current deal expires in 2028, with the option for another year.

Carrick is understood to have given Dalot his full support to the hierarchy, making it clear “he does not want the club to entertain any possibility” of a sale this summer. The right-back is considered one of his “most trusted performers.”

Final Thoughts

An interesting point to consider is Dalot’s book value, which will sit at zero after his £19 million switch from Porto in 2018. This means any bid for his services could constitute pure profit from a PSR perspective.

Furthermore, Noussair Mazraoui is a proficient fullback himself, offering many of the same intangibles as his teammate. There is a reasonable argument that if a big-money arrived from the continent, it would be wise for United to accept it to fund reinforcements elsewhere on the pitch.

But if Carrick, whose influence in M16 will be sky-high at present, is demanding Dalot remain as an integral member of his squad, there appears little prospect of the Portuguese departing this summer.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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