Diogo Dalot viewed as potential Manchester United skipper if Bruno Fernandes departs

According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, Manchester United have internally earmarked Diogo Dalot as the next captain if Bruno Fernandes leaves the club.

The Red Devils had their worst-ever Premier League season, finishing eighth on the table. New minority owners INEOS are far from impressed with manager Erik ten Hag and his squad that was crippled with injuries throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Surprisingly, regardless of another impressive individual campaign that yielded 15 goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, skipper Bruno Fernandes is also facing the threat of being sold this summer.

INEOS will reportedly consider offers beginning at £70 million for the gifted playmaker as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team look to shake up the squad. However, there is common acknowledgement amongst the INEOS group that Fernandes is the club’s “finest footballer” and there is “no push to sell” him this summer.

Both Bayern Munich and Barcelona have been linked with moves for the Portugal international since last month, while Saudi Pro League clubs remain in the hunt for poaching the best players from Europe for the second successive summer.

Should Fernandes be tempted with a move away from Old Trafford, which would leave fans devasted, GIVEMESPORT claims that the club views Diogo Dalot as captain material.

Diogo Dalot, 25, enjoyed his best personal season, racking up 50 appearances out of a possible 52 amidst an unprecedented defensive crisis. He was adjudged the Player’s Player of the Year for his consistent displays at the back, where recurrent injury problems forced him to operate at left back in certain games.

The Portuguese full-back is also looked at as someone who demonstrates that you don’t have to break the bank always to sign quality players, with former manager Jose Mourinho bringing him to Old Trafford in a bargain £19 million deal from FC Porto in the summer of 2018.

More Manchester United News-

• Manchester United could fall further behind their rivals if they continue to be uncertain regarding Erik ten Hag
• Manchester United could be making a move for FC Schalke youngster this summer
• Steve Bruce comments on unprecedented injury issues at Manchester United last season that Erik ten Hag had to deal with

For all the talk of the town, it is highly unlikely to see Fernandes getting sold this summer. He has a contract and loves playing for the club. It would take an outrageous offer for INEOS to consider the creative midfielder’s sale. As a captain replacement, though, Dalot appears to be arguably the best option we have in the squad, which itself explains where the club is at this moment.