DiogoDalot eyeing long-term stay with Manchester United

Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot has said that the opening season with Manchester United has been a learning curve for him and he is hopeful of staying put with the club for the long-term. The teenager joined the Red Devils from Porto during the summer transfer window and he has managed just 11 appearances while playing second fiddle to Ashley Young on the right side of the defence.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Dalot acknowledged that his debut campaign with the Red Devils has been a learning curve, given he had to wait until December to completely recover from a knee surgery, he said: “It’s a massive learning curve. I think the first part of the season was tough because I had injuries, and I only started playing and training with full fitness from December on.

“This year was a learning year for me, and I will keep learning more until the end of the season, more mentally to be ready for this kind of situation, to get an injury, to not play, to start getting fit again. I have good players in my position and I can learn a lot from them. I think I can have the opportunity to play many, many years here.”

Dalot was fancied to take over the right-back role on a permanent basis after impressing during the opening few matches in September but he thereafter suffered another injury setback. Since then, the Portuguese has only occasionally started games for the club and the situation could remain the same for the rest of the season with Young cementing the role on the right side of the defence.

Young was deemed to be heading through the exit door with his previous contract due to expire in the summer but he has now been rewarded with a 12-month extension amid the consistent performances. With this in mind, Dalot may have to wait a little longer before becoming the undisputed choice for the right-back duties.