Neville: Dalot might be the long-term solution
Much-admired former United defender Gary Neville believes that Diogo Dalot is capable of securing the team's right-back position for the long term.
The Portuguese is in the midst of arguably his best individual campaign since joining the club in the summer of 2018, and was lauded by fans for the amazing Beckham-esque cross which led to Scott McTominay's late winner at Aston Villa.
Speaking on his own weekly review of the Premier League, The Gary Neville Podcast, the 1999 Treble winner was keen to raise Dalot's name and highlight his recent form.
Since the arrival of Erik ten Hag, the 24-year-old has regularly been interchanged with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right side of United's defence, but Neville implied that Dalot is starting to emerge as the leading candidate for the role.
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"I want to talk a little bit about Dalot," began the ex-United captain, who played 602 times for us (predominantly at right-back) between 1992 and 2011.
"Because Dalot is someone that people say about [when they discuss] the right-back for the future for Manchester United. They might 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."
Neville suggested that the biggest problem for Dalot's further development – and indeed United's defence as a unit – was the lack of continuity in selection, largely due to injuries.
"I think if he can start playing in a really confident back four and a settled back four [then he could be the right-back for the future]," said the 48-year-old.
"There was a horrific statistic before the game [against Villa] that I saw – it was something like 16 or 17 or 18 [different] partnerships or back fours. It's all over the place and none of them are ever in a settled back four from game to game, or half to half! Shaw goes off, Martinez [got injured] last week.
"It's always changing, and he's never really got a constant presence outside him on that right-hand side. I had that for years, where I could build a relationship."
"It's always changing, and he's never really got a constant presence outside him on that right-hand side. I had that for years, where I could build a relationship."
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Wan-Bissaka has struggled with injury in recent weeks and has not played any part in a first-team match since the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on 14 January, exactly a month ago. But regardless, Neville's preference is for Dalot to be given a lengthy spell in the starting XI to see how far he can push his impressive run of performances.
"I wouldn't be too quickly looking to change him. I think he's something to work with," explained the pundit and commentator.
"Is he the best in the world? No. But has he got the potential to be? He's delivering at the moment, but has he got the potential to be a top full-back? Yes.
"Dalot, I think, is someone that you talk about [in terms of the future]. Could he be the one where you think: 'Give him that shot.' "
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