According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are on the verge of signing a contract extension with Diogo Dalot, having agreed terms for his new deal. Barcelona were interested in signing the full-back but have given up on landing the player.

The Portuguese right-back is enjoying his best season at Old Trafford since joining the club in 2018. He has been instrumental in the massive progress of the Red Devils this campaign and is one of the five players whose one-year extension clause was triggered in December to retain him till 2024.

The 23-year-old has made 25 appearances for United this season (stats via Transfermarkt) and could have made more if not for his injury. The full-back is yet to achieve full fitness but has already returned to playing larger periods of the games.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via The Sun), Diogo Dalot has agreed a new contract with Manchester United and is close to putting pen on paper to extend his stay at Old Trafford. The Red Devils began working on a contract extension in October.

Erik ten Hag’s side is more than happy with the Portuguese defender’s performances this season. The fans want to see more of the full-back as they are aware of the fact that Dalot is yet to reach his peak and is capable of reaching greater heights.

The 23-year-old spent a year on loan at AC Milan and did impress a few times during his time in Italy. His development in Italy forced United to retain the defender for the following season. However, a year ago, the fans had very little belief in Dalot to rise through the ranks at United and get selected ahead of Wan-Bissaka.

Dalot set to sign new United deal 🇵🇹✍️

Diogo Dalot is set to sign a new contract with Manchester United which will ended any hopes of Barcelona landing the full-back.

Dalot has excelled under Erik ten Hag this season and loves the intensity of Premier League football. pic.twitter.com/7fNv2HsBhE

— SPORF (@Sporf) February 7, 2023

Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave the Manchester side defensive solidity on the right flank. Although his contribution was minimal during attacks, the English International excelled in the defensive department of his game. However, the Red Devils needed attacking drive from the right-back and AWB was unable to provide so.

United naturally lacked creativity from the right side of the pitch. The modern-day game demands attacking from wide areas against sides that play a low block. Evidently, Manchester United suffered against such teams and failed to get results. That’s where Dalot came in.

Should Manchester United Offer Diogo Dalot a Long-term Contract?

Diogo Dalot has been at Manchester United since 2018. It is hard to believe that he is just 23-years-old and there’s still more to come from him. With a good amount of experience, he has the potential to become the most remarkable full-back that United have had in the last decade.

However, the Portuguese still needs to go through the development stage under Erik ten Hag. There is no doubt about who is the first-choice right-back at the club now. The Red Devils will most likely sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka but will explore their options to bring in a competitor for Dalot.

Diogo Dalot’s game by numbers vs. Leeds United:

90 touches
86% pass accuracy
7/7 ground duels won
4 tackles won
3/3 dribbles completed
2 clearances
2 interceptions
2 long balls completed
1/1 aerial duels won
1 key pass
1 assist

Strong return. 💪 pic.twitter.com/alHODiL4qq

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 9, 2023

The Red Devils were linked with Denzel Dumfries for a brief period and he still remains one of their targets in the summer transfer window. The Dutch full-back will provide healthy competition to the 23-year-old who will only improve with such a challenge in the squad.

The Portuguese international has the mentality to thrive under pressure situations and is still likely to be the first-choice right-back even if Dumfries joins the club. Dalot, while offering options in the attack, is also a reliable player in the backline, whereas the Dutch defender can compromise his defence at times.

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Ten Hag has found a new role for Diogo Dalot at Manchester United. Liverpool redefined the roles of full-backs after Jurgen Klopp started using them extensively to provide width in the attacking third.

However, the Dutch manager wants his full-backs to play more centrally rather than wide, giving United more options in the midfield. Dalot has excelled at this role and Ten Hag has never been critical of the Portuguese’s performance since taking over the club.

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