Goal of the Day: D is for Dalot
Our A-Z ‘Goal of the Day’ series reaches ‘D’ today, with an entry for Manchester United's Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot.
Signed after barely one season in the Porto first team, Diogo was brought in by Jose Mourinho as a summer signing in 2018.
Although injuries have interrupted his progress at Old Trafford, he remains a hugely gifted prospect who has already made 33 appearances for the club in two seasons.
Arguably his best moment to date came in January of the current campaign, when he scored United's second goal in a 6-0 drubbing of Tranmere Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup at Prenton Park. You can see that effort below, which is also our Goal of the Day today (Tuesday).
Goal of the Day: Dalot v Tranmere Video
Goal of the Day: Dalot v Tranmere
Diogo Dalot’s effort against Tranmere was his first for the Reds and it’s today’s ‘Goal of the Day’…
SIGNING FOR UNITED
Dalot had made just 33 appearances with Porto, whom he joined as a young nine-year-old, when Jose Mourinho swooped to secure his signature in 2018. A lengthy injury prevented him from making his debut until mid-September of that year, but he was granted a start against Young Boys of Bern in the Champions League and was hugely impressive in a 3-0 away win. Mourinho described him as "the best young full-back in Europe" shortly after signing him.
FINEST MOMENT
His goal against Tranmere has to stand as his finest moment to date, but Dalot has made several other significant contributions, and famously earned United a last-gasp penalty against Paris Saint-Germain in March 2019, when his speculative long-range shot hit the outstretched arm of Presnel Kimbempe.
REDS SPELL
One of Dalot's best performances yet came as a second-half substitute in a dramatic 3-2 win over Southampton last season, when he played as a right-winger. The intelligent Portuguese has shown plenty of versatility already during his nascent United career, which bodes well for his future involvement in an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer team that is comfortable adopting several different systems.
Dalot: It's been a tough journey
ArticleThe Portuguese defender registered his maiden goal for the Reds, in his first start after a three-month injury lay-off.
WHAT THEY SAID
"Everyone could see the potential. Everyone could see he's a 19-year-old player that has more than 10 years to play for Manchester United." (Jose Mourinho)
"He has great potential and particularly going forward, because he puts in a fantastic cross. He looks a strong boy as well. He is only young and has still got a lot to learn. It would be great to see him get a clean run, a few months without an injury, to give him that chance to challenge." (Denis Irwin)