Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot is currently enjoying the kind of form that has proved Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag was right to keep him around at Old Trafford.
Upon his arrival, many assumed Ten Hag would try and shift Dalot on to pastures new given the Portugal international's hit and miss form throughout his time at the club. However, the Dutchman decided to take a chance and keep him, with United now looking likely to reap the benefits of that call if the defender's international form is anything to go by.
With the modern full-back required to contribute almost just as much offensively as he is defensively, there have long been question marks over both of United's right-back options in Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, while the latter has shown little sign of improvement, Dalot has now been directly involved in four goals over the course of his last four Portugal outings.
The 23-year-old has two goals and two assists in his last three outings, either scoring or assisting in each match in what marks an astonishing turnaround in form from the man who was sent out on loan from United less than two years ago.
When Ten Hag had first been appointed, he appeared reluctant to dish out new deals before he had gotten a good look at each individual and their skillsets. However, Dalot has seemingly won him over having established himself as a regular starter for both club and country this term and even attracting interest from elsewhere.
His former loan home in AC Milan are rumoured to be keen on a reunion, while Barcelona have also thrown their hat in the ring before the January transfer window opens next month. In response, the Sun report that United are planning to hand Dalot a one-year extension that will keep him tied to Old Trafford until the end of next season.
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The right-back discussed his club future before jetting out to Qatar to help his country's World Cup efforts, claiming: "Personally, I’m not one to make long-term plans. I live season by season, month by month and just want to help the team as much I can.
"Right now, my ambitions are to be at the World Cup to help my national team, and in the end of the season to give trophies to [United] fans because they deserve it."
With that in mind, Dalot did recently give the impression he is enjoying life under Ten Hag at Old Trafford. "With him, we have a lot of space for improvement and he's a manager that demands a lot from the players," he said of his manager.
"This is the way I like to work, so I think it's a good match. It brings me more responsibility to keep improving."
