Varun Pai
Ralf Rangnick has blocked AS Roma from trying to sign Manchester United ace Diogo Dalot in January
According to Calciomercato (h/t The Metro), Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has blocked a potential move for Diogo Dalot in January amidst transfer interest from AS Roma.
The full-back was at a crossroads in the summer. There were links to him leaving but eventually, he stayed put to fight for a place in the starting line-up. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferred Aaron wan-Bissaka and offered minimal game-time to the right-back.
However, the tables have turned under Ralf Rangnick. The German boss took over the helm this month and has continually selected Dalot. The Portuguese, in turn, has produced encouraging performances, thanks to his defensive discipline and attacking intensity.
But this also caught the eye of AS Roma, with Jose Mourinho looking to reunite with his former disciple. In fact, it is also thought that Roma general manager Tiago Pinto also agreed on a move in principle with the player’s agent. However, Rangnick has now stepped in and put a block on the complete move after making the 22-year-old an important part of his side.
Dalot finally gets his chance
Since arriving in 2018, the right-back has not been afforded a chance to showcase his quality. Solskjaer had a certain style of play and the Portuguese certainly did not fit into it. The Norwegian brought in Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in 2019 and the Englishman has been a starter in that role since then.
His ability to nick the ball away in a 1v1 situation remains incredible, but his attacking output never impressed completely. The former Palace man could take the ball forward with him but his deliveries leave a lot to be desired at times. These problems continued into this season and those who have followed the Englishman would largely agree with that.
Although this deficiency never bothered Solskjaer, Rangnick decided against it and employed Dalot in that role. The Portuguese ace was arguably the best player on the pitch against Palace three weeks ago before playing an instrumental role in the victory against Norwich City.
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The full-back has since also praised the new boss by stating that the German has ‘good ideas to play football.’ A loan move to Italy could have worked out, given his previous experience of playing with AC Milan, but for now, he needs to take the opportunity at Old Trafford and nail the starting berth so that he can finally display what he is all about.
