Diogo Dalot could be Manchester United’s biggest pre-season winner

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The right-back position was one of the areas where Manchester United had the most uncertainty heading into this pre-season.

Diogo Dalot looks to be winning the battle to start the first game of the season for United at the position.

United signed Dalot for £19 million [BBC] from Porto back in 2018 and he has had a rollercoaster ride at Old Trafford over the past four years.

Dalot has battled injury, a loan to AC Milan, and repeatedly snubbed by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before bouncing back.

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United’s biggest pre-season winner

While Anthony Martial stakes a very strong claim to be United’s pre-season winner too, he actually has no competition up front at present.

Dalot entered the pre-season as one of three players who could win the right-back spot, along with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ethan Laird. He is winning the battle comfortably.

New manager Erik ten Hag has selected Dalot to start all three games, and even before we get into his performance, purely on minutes, he is on top.

Wan-Bissaka and Laird have both played fewer than 90 minutes combined all tour, while Dalot has played more 150 minutes.

In each game, Dalot has had an impactful moment. He crashed a shot against the crossbar against Liverpool, before his cross led to Anthony Elanga flicking the ball on to Anthony Martial to score against Melbourne.

Dalot’s cross picked out Martial for United’s opener against Palace, for his first assist of the tour.

This was an important mark to check, because for all his progress under Ralf Rangnick last season where he built up minutes, he did not manage any assists.

Dalot is progressing in the right direction, looking dangerous under Ten Hag, who picked out the connection between the defender and Jadon Sancho as a feature of United’s play he has been particularly impressed by.

It’s possible United loan out Laird, and sell Wan-Bissaka, and then sign another right-back as competition for Dalot.

But if a new player does come in, Dalot will not give up his place without a fight. He is showing really positive signs of progress and it would be great if he can carry on this level of performance once the season kicks off.