Diogo Dalot to Milan Is the Perfect Transfer for All Parties
By Mitch Wilks
Despite not really putting much of a foot wrong in a United shirt and actually impressing in the early stages of his tenure, it feels like Diogo Dalot's time is up at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Portuguese full-back signed as a teenager during Jose Mourinho's reign as Manchester United head coach in summer 2018, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal. It was a rather unexpected transfer in a disappointing window that ultimately led to Mourinho's dismissal, but Dalot did himself no harm and looked like a bright spark.
Two years on, however, and he's no more than a bit-part player under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Consistent injures and a few shaky performances in an admittedly poor United team didn't help his cause, but the final nail in the coffin was the £50m signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka last summer.
Dalot was never going to recover the role of starting right-back following the Englishman's arrival, and despite being able to do a job at left-back, there's only so long a player can perform out of position. It seems sensible for United to cut their losses and move him on if he doesn't take Solskjaer's fancy, and while United's recent recruitment policies haven't screamed 'sensible' in recent times, this one feels possible.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Milan are interested in taking Dalot on loan with an option to buy, but United are more interested in a permanent deal. The Red Devils seem determined to land a left-back and a right winger before the transfer window closes, and moving on Dalot could be key to that, even if it's temporary at first.
Milan have conducted some excellent business this summer. Signing Sandro Tonali from Brescia was a significant statement of intent, and Dalot has the chance to join an incredibly exciting project and should do all in his power to ensure that the move goes through. It could be the revival his career needs.
Under Mourinho, Dalot quickly went from an unheard of signing into an exciting piece of business and, frankly, a bit of a steal from Porto at just £19m. He kept a clean sheet on his debut as United beat Young Boys 3-0 in the Champions League in September 2018, but couldn't find regular football until that December due to an injury. He proved to be a handy signing when he did find fitness, however, operating as an attacking right-back with pace on the overlap and an eye for a pass into dangerous areas.
He only managed 11 appearances in the following campaign, which is where it seemed to go wrong. Dalot didn't do much bad when he did play, but that wasn't often enough. This, combined with his ability to play in a variety of positions including left-back and as a right winger makes him a solid utility player – but it's that versatility that's perhaps stunted his growth.
The Portuguese Under-21 international made just one appearance following football's restart after the three-month lockdown, playing just over an hour in United's disappointing FA Cup quarter final against Norwich. They were taken to extra time and only managed to snatch a win after a host of substitutes changed the game, and Dalot has been hung out to dry ever since.
A move to Milan before the 5th October deadline benefits all parties. Stefano Pioli's side have made a perfect start to the season, and remain unbeaten in all competitions across the four games they've played. A solid summer transfer window has suddenly given hope of a genuine revival for the first time in years, and Dalot could be the final piece of the jigsaw to top things off. Milan are in the market for a right-back and have been linked to Serge Aurier but, at just 21, Dalot better fits the bill.
A loan deal with an option to buy suits Milan who, admittedly, still aren't in a position to splash the cash. This gives them the chance to make the move permanent in time, and make a good investment at the end of the season. For United, it's another player off the wage bill and one less full-back at the club, paving the way for a new left-back to take the spot.
For Dalot himself, Milan is an incredibly exciting prospect. He'd be guaranteed to start over current options and would suddenly make Milan a well balanced side, with himself and Theo Hernandez bombing forward from full-back.
Further, Dalot would be away from the limelight and subsequent pressure that comes with being a Manchester United player, which may well have impacted him at times. Milan still have nothing to lose, thus Dalot could play freely and enjoy his football, potentially standing out as one of the most exciting full-backs in the league provided he can stay fit.
United fans might be bemused at the decision to give up on Dalot so soon, but clinging onto players that a head coach doesn't fancy is one of many problems that has hindered the club throughout the last several years. Moving him on allows him to enjoy regular football once more, while also freeing up funds for a potential late spending spree in the transfer market.