Erik ten Hag facing anxious wait to hear extent of Diogo Dalot’s muscle injury

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Erik ten Hag is facing an anxious wait to hear the extent of Diogo Dalot‘s muscle injury which he sustained in Portugal’s defeat to Morocco.

For the second consecutive World Cup game, Selecao boss Fernando Santos opted to start the 23-year-old ahead of Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo.

But with Portugal chasing an equaliser in yesterday’s World Cup quarter-final following Youssef En-Nesyri’s opener, Dalot had to be replaced in the 78th minute.

After delivering a cross, the former Porto youngster “was clinging to his thigh after a cross on the right side of the attack and immediately called for a replacement” reports A Bola.

United’s number 20 was replaced by Ricardo Horta as Portugal crashed out of the World Cup.

Erik ten Hag facing anxious wait to hear extent of Diogo Dalot’s muscle injury

Had Portugal completed the turnaround and reached the last-four, it’s highly likely that Dalot’s involvement in Qatar may have come to an abrupt end.

But with Portugal now heading home, attention will now turn to getting a diagnosis on Dalot’s injury and a timescale on his return.

The ten-time Portugal international is a vital part of Ten Hag’s side and the Dutchman will be hoping that Dalot has only tweaked a muscle as opposed to tearing one.

Dalot has only failed to start one game for the Red Devils this season and that was United’s last competitive encounter against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The right-back was suspended for the clash against the Cottagers after picking up his fifth Premier League booking of the season in the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Tyrell Malacia filled in for Dalot in west London, but with Aaron Wan-Bissaka starting both of United’s mid-World Cup friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis – the former Crystal Palace man will be hoping for a chance to impress if Dalot faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.