Man Utd verdict: Diogo Dalot showed against Fulham he is Gary Neville’s heir
Given lots of game time, the Portuguese youngster can dominate the right wing for years at Old Trafford - just as Neville did
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DIOGO DALOT can make the right back slot his own at Manchester United, just like Gary Neville did for nearly two decades.
The Portuguese, 19, is surely the classiest young full-back in the Premier League and proved that against Fulham.
He is exactly the sort of player United need in that slot as Antonio Valencia’s decline from his superb peak continues.
He is fresh, enthusiastic, has a smart footballing brain, along with bags of athletic and technical ability.
Ryan Sessegnon has showed so much potential, but the Fulham left back/winger barely got a sniff.
While Neville is now remembered for his intensity, badge kissing and trolling Liverpool fans, he was an underrated crosser, understood when to overlap and when to make a nuisance of himself with opposing wingers.
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Dalot has so many of these traits - and more.
These days United have nobody like David Beckham, let alone Andrei Kanchelskis on the right flank.
Juan Mata likes to roam infield (while Alexis Sanchez has roamed as far as Chile) leaving a prairie of grass for Dalot to stretch his fast-moving legs upon.
The teen, purchased from Porto for £19million, also bears striking similarities to Luke Shaw, but in mirror form.
Mourinho hails Dalot after knee problems nearly derailed career
By Alex Terrell
JOSE MOURINHO has hailed Diogo Dalot for breaking into the Manchester United first team after his knee problems.
The Red Devils manager had no doubt the 19-year-old would break into the starting XI after his move from Porto over the summer.
Mourinho was pleased after Dalot won the man of the match award in the 4-1 win over Fulham.
He said: "For Dalot it was a pity that he had that injury in Porto in May.
"I think probably other clubs wouldn’t sign him when a player has a knee surgery.
"We did it because we didn’t want to lose him because of an injury that could be resolved.
"Now we have him he has a lot to learn, he is 19 years old.
"Physically he is compact, he has a good body, technically very good, happy boy playing football, goes forward all the time, good quality of crossing.
"Of course we are very happy and now it’s December, he is going to have more opportunities to play and get the experience be what we thought and that is that he can be Manchester United right back we thought - for 10 years."
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It would be fascinating to see if Mourinho uses both at the same time in the future.
He has remarkable little step-over and ability to create half a yard, delivering the sort of crosses Becks was adored for.
In fact, United could have had another four or five clear chances from Dalot’s pin-point deliveries. Romelu Lukaku needs to pull him aside after training at Carrington and create an understanding.
Whereas Valencia likes to drive low crosses along the deck, making it easier for a defender to read, Dalot has more variation.
He also got booked while sprinting after and bringing down Joe Bryan, after appearing to trip over his own legs, which was simply unlucky.
His bursts of pace are electric, while he glides on the ball, able to move in neat triangles and tight avenues.
Dare you say it - it’s like Philipp Lahm did for Bayern Munich for so many years.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, the lad just needs game time. And lots of it.