Manchester United star Diogo Dalot was not part of the Portuguese squad due to a muscle injury
This international break time always creates confusion for the clubs as the players go to their countries and face a different environment, a different surface and different physical pressure there. In such a situation, any injury proves to be a big setback for the team because the club has to pay the player’s salary, but his absence is clearly felt on the field. Apart from this, the balance of the team is disturbed, and the manager is forced to make changes. The rhythm of winning matches continuously is also broken, and its effect is visible on both the league and European matches.
Dalot’s injury and impact:
Manchester United’s last win came against Burnley, where the team got a brilliant result with their first win of the season by 3-2. In that match, Diogo Dalot played the entire 90 minutes and looked reliable as always, but now the news has come out that Dalot has withdrawn his name from the Portugal team.
He was to play against Armenia and Hungary in the World Cup Qualifiers, but the 26-year-old was out of the squad due to muscle discomfort, as stated by the Portuguese Football Federation, as relayed by Manchester Evening News. Dalot’s biggest asset has been that he is rarely out injured, and his record at Old Trafford has been almost flawless. So this injury has surprised everyone because the availability of such a player is always a relief for the manager. Now the question is that if this problem lasts longer, then United may have to face the immediate impact.
This is a very delicate time for Manchester United. The team’s next match is against Manchester City, and after that, they have to face Chelsea. Neither are these matches easy in any case, and Dalot’s absence has come at the wrong time. Amorim has used Dalot as a right-wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 system, and he is equally responsible for both the attack and defence. His understanding of his role strengthens the right side of the team, and his absence can break this coordination. If Dalot is not fit for the City match, then United will have to find an alternative without him, and this will certainly not be easy.
The small relief, however, is that Dalot has an excellent fitness record, so it seems unlikely to be a long-term injury. Still, the whole episode is a reminder of how quickly international breaks can change things. United are already dealing with several issues, and while Bruno Fernandes has been rumoured to be considering an offer from the Saudi Pro League, the reality is that he is unlikely to leave the club in the near future. United’s thinking in the transfer market has also been interesting, with reports suggesting that the club considered Danny Welbeck as an option before signing Benjamin Sesko. This suggests that the team is looking for backup at all levels.
Overall, Dalot’s injury is a concern, but there is no need to panic. United have to keep their composure and hope that Dalot returns to fitness soon. Such breaks can be detrimental for clubs, and teams like United often pay the price.