Diogo Dalot: The Portuguese Maestro's Rise to the Top

Diogo Dalot was arguably Manchester United’s best player in their last Premier League game against Crystal Palace. The Portuguese full-back has impressed so far this season, picking up from where he left off as United’s 2023-24 Player of the Year. His rise from a promising young and fragile fullback whom Jose Mourinho saw something in, to becoming one of the club’s most reliable players has gone unnoticed so far. In this article, we will discuss his rise to the top and what makes the Red Devils man so good under Erik ten Hag.

Diogo joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2018 from Porto, shortly after debuting for the Portuguese giants. According to a GOAL article that covered his €19 million transfer to United, then-head coach Jose Mourinho had the following words to say about his new signing:

“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 added:

“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.”


So the scene was set, United had signed ‘the best 19-year-old fullback in the world’, the one who was sure to take over from the ageing Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, good enough to play on either flank even, Dalot's ascent to the top was a certainty then.

However, we all know football doesn’t quite work like that. Every year, tons of wonderkids come out of the best academies and are tipped to go on to achieve great things, but only a handful of them meet those lofty expectations. Dalot's journey to the top was not going to happen in a flash. In fact, the Portuguese youngster would undergo a series of setbacks before arriving at the stage he finds himself in today. 

Diogo Dalot made his debut for Manchester United under Jose Mourinho, the man who brought him to the club from Porto. His debut came in the Champions League game against Swiss side Young Boys, a match he impressed in and showed promising signs as he helped the team keep a clean sheet on the night. He would appear in front of home fans at Old Trafford for the first time in a Carabao Cup defeat to Derby County, coming off the bench in a game that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men. The rest of that season would only bring frustration, though, as Dalot was unfortunately plagued with injuries that kept him out of the side for elongated periods.

The next season he was made to go on loan to Italian heavyweights AC Milan. This would help his maturity and tactical understanding immensely. Dalot helped them to UEFA Champions League qualification and a second-place finish, making 34 appearances for the black and red outfit that season. His time at Milan would prove pivotal in his development. He featured regularly in Italy under Stefano Pioli, who trusted the then 20-year-old on many occasions.

The following season, Mourinho's replacement, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, would express his desire for Dalot to return to Manchester as he was impressed by his performances on loan. That same season, however, Solskjaer would sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Palace, seemingly ready to entrust the Englishman as his first choice right back. The injuries would also continue to haunt Dalot that season, as he was forced to agonizingly watch on from the sidelines as the new signing became a regular in the side. 

 Solskjaer would leave Old Trafford after two seasons in charge. With his arrival, Ralf Ragnick was appointed interim boss and began Dalot's claim of a first-team spot. His career would begin its steady incline under Ragnick. The Portuguese full-back featured a lot, starting 19 of the remaining 24 fixtures that season, upping his responsibilities and appearances in the first team. Ragnick had set the stage for Dalot, and the new permanent head coach, Erik ten Hag, had recognized that.

When Ten Hag took over he noticed the fullback's potential and ability, entrusting him as a starting fullback. He featured 26 times in the Premier leagueleague that season, starting 25 of those 26 appearances. Dalot only became more vital from then on, featuring 36 times the following season, cementing his place in the united backline and showing fans that the 19 million spent on him then was one of the club's better investments. So far this season Dalot has been pivotal to United's good defensive form whilst also impacting the attack. There's no doubt now that Dalot is one of United's best players, but what makes the Portuguese man so good? 

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THE PERFECT MODERN DAY FULLBACK

• High Tactical IQ: Dalot is the complete modern-day fullback. Before Ten Hag's arrival at the club, Dalot's role was very traditional, providing an overlap option to his wingers; however, his role in the first team has seen significant evolution, and with it, the Porto academy graduate has evolved as well. He shows high spatial awareness and decision-making to invert into midfield whenever needed, while still providing United the option of width when necessary. 

• Technicality and Composure: Dalot exudes calmness whenever he's on the ball. Hard to dispossess and consistently reliable in possession, this allows him to help United play out from the back effectively during build-up, inverting into midfield and recycling possession well almost as if he's played there all his life. 

• Professionalism: Diogo Dalot played 36 of United’s 38 premier league games last season. He was the Club’s player of the season for his professionalism just as much as his ability on the pitch. Cristiano himself confessed in a very controversial interview how much belief he has in the fullback as a result of his professional attitude and willingness to improve. 

• Versatility: Diogo Dalot’s versatility makes him an important asset to United. His ability to not just play, but thrive on either flank highlights his fotballing IQ and ability to a plum. This season has seen him feature on the left-hand side of the back four, as difficult as this is especially as a right footer.

Diogo Dalot’s beyond-impressive performances have helped Manchester United tremendously so far this season. The Old Trafford faithful have sat up and are beginning to recognize his importance, and I believe the skilful fullback will only get more popular over time. 

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