Man United: Dalot “electric” for Portugal

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will seemingly be protecting an in depth eye on the members of his squad who’re presently away on worldwide obligation, with this week’s fixtures permitting gamers the possibility to showcase their skills for his or her nation.

One nation, specifically, that the Dutchman will likely be monitoring is that of Portugal, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot all forming a key a part of Fernando Santos’ glittering squad.

The European outfit solely not too long ago strolled previous the Czech Republic after cruising to a thumping 4-0 victory away from residence on Saturday night, with the aforementioned Dalot arguably the star performer having netted twice on what was a effective night time for the 23-year-old.

The previous Porto gem hadn’t netted for membership or nation for nearly 566 days since final doing so whereas on mortgage at Serie A aspect AC Milan again in March 2021, though ended that barren run in brutal trend with two scientific finishes from his right-back berth.

The £25.2m-rated man’s first effort noticed the defender latch on to Rafael Leao’s pull again to fit residence on his left foot to open the scoring, earlier than once more firing in on his weaker foot after the break with what was a shocking, curling effort from distance.

That efficiency in the end noticed the Braga-born ace report a match ranking of 9.1, as per SofaScore, with that by far the best determine for any participant for both aspect on the night time.

Has Dalot nailed down the right-back position at United?

As Statman Dave recommended, that show – in a sport which additionally noticed Fernandes register a objective and an help – was a continuation of the “electric” kind that the £25k-per-week menace has proven in latest weeks at membership degree, having lastly nailed down a daily position again at Outdated Trafford.

The six-cap starlet had been tipped for large issues by then-United boss Jose Mourinho upon his arrival in England on a £19m deal again in the summertime of 2018, though initially struggled to drive his manner into the aspect, making simply 20 Premier League appearances throughout his first two seasons on the membership.

After getting back from a loan stint in Italy final time period, the arrival of interim boss Ralf Rangnick noticed the teen tackle a extra outstanding position within the aspect as he made 19 top-flight begins, whereas he has since began all six league video games below Ten Hag within the 2022/23 marketing campaign up to now.

Firmly established forward of £50m flop Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the 6-foot machine has been one of many standout figures below the brand new United boss in latest video games, together with his common match ranking of 7.07 the fifth-highest amongst his teammates up to now this time period.

To see him replicate that kind at worldwide degree is a marker of the arrogance with which Dalot is taking part in at current, with Ten Hag prone to be raving over the good strides that the Portuguese gem has made below his administration within the area of just some months.