Under new coach Ruben Amorim, last season's best player Diogo Dalot remains one of Manchester United's absolute mainstays. However, the Portuguese full-back's performance has been unsatisfactory, as he has had to play out of position on the left, leading to growing dissatisfaction among Red Devils fans. However, in European football, the 25-year-old Dalot has attracted many potential buyers, including Real Madrid!
At the start of the season, Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal suffered a serious knee ligament injury that required surgery and ended his season, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti in need of a new right-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool is the player "Galacticos" most want to sign, but prying him away from Anfield is no easy task.
The 26-year-old Alexander-Arnold not only came through the ranks at Liverpool but has spent his entire career there and is also in contention for the club's second-ever Premier League title. Therefore, whether his contract is about to expire or not, leaving in January is not his preferred option.
After Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid sees Manchester United's Dalot as a backup option. English media reports reveal that they have been keen to find out if Amorim would be willing to sell this Portuguese international. Despite playing a key role for the Red Devils so far this season, Dalot has been playing out of position at left-back due to Luke Shaw's continuous injuries. In the recently concluded double-header against Liverpool, Dalot outperformed Alexander-Arnold, causing the latter to be substituted early by manager Jurgen Klopp.
However, if Manchester United were to bring in a new left-back, Dalot could become a substitute. This is because the right side of the team has two of the best and most stable players this season: right winger Amad Diallo and right-back Mazraoui. Among them, the 22-year-old Diallo has been the best player under Amorim's coaching tenure. He now primarily plays as a right-sided attacking midfielder but originally played as a right wing-back. He can return to that position when United faces weaker opponents.
If the team wants to strengthen its defense, Mazraoui is the first choice. Therefore, if Amorim acquires a new starting left-back for Manchester United, Dalot's position may become marginalized. In such a scenario, selling him at an ideal price could be a "win-win-win" solution.
Manchester United signed Dalot for £19 million in 2018, and his current weekly salary is only £80,000, which will not hinder a transfer. If the club sells this Portuguese tough guy, it could make a pure profit of between £30 million and £50 million, which would help Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS team buy new players for the new coach.
Premier League transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed that Real Madrid is not the only club interested in Dalot, with La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga teams also paying close attention to his situation. The Portuguese full-back is one of the easiest players to sell on Manchester United's squad.
"Dalot's situation is interesting," he said. "I've heard that some clubs realize that Dalot may not fit into Amorim's tactical system. Essentially, his wing-back needs attacking ability, and Dalot is an excellent attacking full-back, but is that enough? Some clubs are conducting investigations behind the scenes, not directly with Manchester United or Dalot, but through intermediaries, and some preliminary discussions have already taken place."
He continued to explain: "Real Madrid is watching his situation, and I've heard that there are two or three other Spanish teams interested. Bayern Munich's name also appears on the candidate list, as well as Italian teams. So I think, despite being one of the players Manchester United likes, Dalot may become one of the victims of environmental changes."
When Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United more than two years ago, he was very dissatisfied with the club's situation, but Dalot was one of his most recommended teammates. "At Manchester United, I can mention Dalot. He is young but very professional. I don't doubt that he will remain successful in football because he is not only young but also wise and very professional. You could also say Lima and Casemiro, but I would say Dalot."