Aheed Abrar
Diogo Dalot reveals option to leave Manchester United for AC Milan after loan spell in 2020/21 season
Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot has revealed the potential of a permanent switch to AC Milan after his loan spell in the 2020/21 campaign. However, the Portugal international ended up staying with the Red Devils.
Dalot signed for United in the summer of 2018 from FC Porto. He played a backup role for two seasons before moving to Italy for more game time.
Speaking to Italian media via Milan News (h/t Manchester Evening News), Dalot disclosed the possibility of leaving United last summer. However, in the end, a deal for the 23-year-old did not materialise.
“Milan are a great club and I loved the season with the Rossoneri. But it (transfer) wasn’t just up to me. In the end I decided to stay at United and it was the right decision.”
Dalot featured 33 times for the Serie A giants in all competitions in his time in Italy. The Portugal international was a key member of the Milan squad.
Upon his return to England, Dalot initially returned to being a backup behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, after the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the arrival of Ralf Rangnick, the 23-year-old saw his stock rise in the Red Devils’ squad.
Dalot is a mainstay now at the club. The Portugal international credits his development to his time in Milan. He reminisced about his time with the Rossoneri positively. And his fortunes in Manchester have changed as well.
“If I’m a better defender I owe it to Milan. Italian football is different from the Premier League and I had to adapt in just one year and playing in Serie A has helped me a lot.
“Over the past two years here in Manchester, the minutes have increased and, consequently, so has self-esteem.”
In the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, Dalot saw himself starting regularly. And Erik ten Hag has decided to trust the 23-year-old as well, relegating Wan-Bissaka to the bench.
Dalot has started every single Premier League game for the Red Devils this season. While United got off to a shaky start, the team have found their feet once again. And the Portugal international has put in impressive performances.
More Manchester United News
- Erik ten Hag called up Charlie McNeill and two other academy youngsters to train with senior Manchester United squad
- Alex Telles joined Sevilla on loan from Manchester United to solidify his World Cup chances
- Diogo Dalot delighted about healthy competition for places in the Manchester United squad
Hopefully, Dalot can keep his good form running throughout the season.
