Mourinho’s favored player draws interest from Bayern and Real Madrid, but Manchester United won’t sell! Neville supports him, not world-class but valuable

Dalot is the last player signed by Mourinho at Manchester United still at the club, playing as right-back. Although often criticized by supporters, almost every successive coach has trusted him, except Solskjaer. Under new manager Carrick, the Portuguese 26-year-old international remains a starter.

Rúben Amorim, the previous coach, included Dalot among the team’s locker room leaders, highlighting his fluency in five languages. However, Dalot’s role as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation does not suit his style.

In Carrick’s 4-3-2-3 system, Dalot performs better back in the right-back position. During the match against Fulham, his performance even convinced the British media, who usually rate him low, to revise their opinion. Dalot delivered his best display of the season, with quicker attacking tempo and more touches, ultimately leading the team in total touches.

Although some Red Devils fans are critical of Dalot, the British press reports that top clubs like La Liga’s Real Madrid and Bundesliga’s Bayern Munich have been monitoring him, along with Real’s city rivals Atlético Madrid. Should Manchester United decide to offload him, these clubs would consider signing him. Dalot’s durability, versatility, and hardworking attitude are key qualities attracting these teams.

This is not surprising, as club legend Gary Neville is also a strong supporter of Dalot and agrees with Manchester United’s decision not to sell him.

Neville said: “Dalot sometimes faces harsh criticism from some Manchester United fans. However, I truly believe he is a fairly good full-back, and I consider myself quite observant when it comes to full-backs. I think his heading ability is actually good, his athleticism is solid, and his ball control is decent. I don’t think he’s a world-class full-back, but I wasn’t one myself.”

In terms of spirit and attitude, Dalot is unquestionably reliable, as Mourinho also appreciated him. Neville added: “I feel he has a certain grit. I think Dalot can consistently deliver a 7 out of 10 performance each week. Yet, he has to play both left and right wing-back, which has led to opponents exploiting his weaknesses multiple times. If he only played right-back, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to sell him.”

Manchester United has continuously backed Dalot and requested Carrick to express support during his first press conference. The club values Dalot’s long-term service and his near-constant good physical condition, combined with his friendly personality, which makes him well-liked by teammates.

At Carrington, Dalot is one of the hardest-working players in training. The €85 million new striker Shesko shares a close relationship with him, especially since Dalot received a training plan from Cristiano Ronaldo, which the diligent Shesko is eager to follow. The two often compete to see who arrives earlier for training.

Dalot’s bond with his Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes is naturally special. He recently said: “Bruno and I have been teammates for seven years. He’s the person I see the most outside my family because I see him every day. Sometimes I see him more than my wife, so naturally, a strong relationship forms. I always say we are comrades fighting side by side.”

Brazilian forward Cunha also gets along well with Dalot and especially praises the Portuguese full-back’s taste in music. “Diogo is an incredible DJ! He shows everyone a different world,” Cunha said.

This summer, signing a right-back is not a high priority for Manchester United. The club aims to bring in two midfielders and a left winger, and if Maguire leaves, they might need a center-back. Additionally, acquiring another backup goalkeeper is among the targets. Depending on the budget, sporting director Jason Wilcox and next season’s coach may feel that Dalot and Mazraoui are sufficient for the right-back position.

Another renowned Manchester United full-back, Denis Irwin, also praised Dalot, saying the younger player shares similarities with him. MUTV host Liam Bradford added that Dalot is approachable and willing to take responsibility, never shying away when the team underperforms.

He said: “One thing about Diogo that might not be well known is that when the team is struggling, he always comes over after the match to talk to us, looks you in the eye, is honest, and faces the problems head-on. I think sometimes what happens behind the scenes goes unnoticed, and fans should appreciate what Diogo and the Manchester United leadership group do for the club — their efforts are truly outstanding.”

If he stays, next season will mark Dalot’s ninth year at Manchester United. When he transferred in 2018 for £19 million, Mourinho called him the best right-back of his age in Europe and predicted he could serve the club for ten years. Although nearly offloaded under Solskjaer, Dalot is steadily approaching Mourinho’s forecast.

In an MUTV interview, Dalot took part in a rapid-fire question segment and was asked who the best player he has worked with is. His immediate answer was Portuguese superstar and friend Cristiano Ronaldo, which was unsurprising. “He changed my career,” Dalot explained, referring to learning Ronaldo’s tireless work ethic off the pitch.

Dalot concluded: “What I’m most proud of is the journey I’ve been through — being able to become a starter at Manchester United. I’ve experienced everything at the club: long-term injuries, not being favored by coaches, occasional appearances, and finally starting every match. This has made me stronger and mentally balanced. As for the most unforgettable game? When we won the FA Cup, I can’t describe how happy and excited I was. That was a great moment for me.”