Pundit Gary Neville has praised Manchester United right back Diogo Dalot after his assist in Sunday’s 2-1 win away at Aston Villa.
United left it late to beat Villa as Scott McTominay popped up with a winner with just minutes to play, powering a header beyond Emiliano Martinez.
That’s three wins in a row for United and there are very real hopes of a push for Champions League qualification.
Rasmus Hojlund is on fire, Alejandro Garnacho is making a real impact out wide and we are seeing a promising midfield partnership between Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro.
Gary Neville has reserved special praise for somebody else though with full back Diogo Dalot catching his eye…
Gary Neville praises Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot
Dalot produced the big moment of the game, whipping in an inch-perfect, first-time cross for McTominay to bag the winner.
The Portuguese defender cost United around £19million back in 2018 as Jose Mourinho raided his former club Porto.
In nearly six years at Old Trafford, Dalot has blown hot and cold and the decision to hand him a five-year deal last year divided opinion.
Dalot really seems to be kicking on now though and looks to be really thriving at the age of 24.
Neville has now stated on the Gary Neville Podcast that he thinks Dalot is somebody United should be looking to keep and persist with in the coming years.
Neville believes that Dalot has the tools to become a top full back and thinks he can really kick on and improve even further if United can find a settled back line around him.
“I want to talk a little bit about Dalot,” said Neville. “Dalot is someone that people say about the ‘right back for the future’ for Manchester United – they may have the right back for the future there. There is a lot there; he’s six foot, he’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s good on the ball, he’s not a bad defender, I think he defends his back post really well, he opens up his shoulders.”
“I think if he can start playing in a really confident back four and a settled back four… it’s always changing and he’s never really got a constant presence outside of him on that right hand side – I had that for years, where I could build a relationship! Dalot, I think, is someone that you talk about ‘could he’ be the one that you think, you’ll give him that shot. He’s getting that shot at the moment but I wouldn’t be too quickly looking to change him, I think he’s something to work with.”
“Is he the best in the world? No, but has he got the potential to be a top full back? Yes,” he added.
Dalot stepping up at the right time
Dalot has been battling with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for years but now appears to be pulling clear as United’s clear first-choice right back.
Wan-Bissaka may well move on this summer and United have been linked with a number of right backs in recent times.
Jeremie Frimpong and Sacha Boey have been mentioned in recent times but Dalot is now finding top form at the ideal time.
United may have been tempted to spend big on a new right back to replace Wan-Bissaka and, most probably, usurp Dalot in the starting lineup.
Yet with Dalot now excelling ahead of the summer window, United may instead prefer to either keep Wan-Bissaka or add new competition with Dalot emerging as the best right back at the club.