Diogo Dalot made sure to give Erik ten Hag a a firm reminder of his talents following Manchester United ’s failure to buy a right-back in the transfer window during their victory against Leicester City.
The Portuguese right-back was handed another start at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening, whilst the Red Devils failed to get another right-sided defender through the door at Old Trafford before the window closed at 11pm.
Links with Barcelona star Sergino Dest came and went - the American instead completing a switch to Italian giants AC Milan. However, Ten Hag will feel comfortable in the knowledge that Dalot is more than capable of holding down a starting berth as the defender sent a strong reminder to his manager.
The former FC Porto man played a key role in the opening goal in the East Midlands as his quick ball forward picked out Marcus Rashford, who in turn rolled it across to Jadon Sancho to score.
The strike triggered wild celebrations on the Red Devils’ bench and in particular from Dalot himself as he raced past both dugouts with his arms outstretched as he toasted his side going in the lead right in front of his manager.
There were then even more celebrations during the second period as United attempted to close out the victory. Faced one-on-one with Harvey Barnes, the Portuguese international did excellently to shepherd his opponent to the byline before the ball struck him then Barnes before going out for a goal kick.
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That was celebrated wildly by Dalot himself and his defensive colleagues Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, whilst Scott McTominay also joined in almost as though the right-back himself had scored a second goal to all-but secure the three points for the Red Devils.
It was an incident picked up on by ex-Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand, who said after the match on BT Sport: "The blocking of the cross from Dalot, you can see that's creating something there. Any back four that I've played in, it's like you're a unit and [protecting your goal is like] 'this is our house'. It looks like they're building something there and that is vitally important."
That dogged and determined attitude to defending will no doubt thrill Ten Hag as he looks to continue the Red Devils’ resurgence up the Premier League table - particularly with Dalot potentially set to have a more prominent role in the first-team for the remainder of the campaign.
Following United’s win against Southampton, Ten Hag praised the side’s attitude, something that Dalot has only continued since.
Speaking after the slender victory at St Mary’s, he said: “[My players] now understand that they have to act as a team, unified. That they have to give 100 per cent – 99 per cent is not enough.
"They have to fight for every ball and if you do that then you have the good base to win games. When you are hard to beat [it is difficult for the opponent] and I think that is what you saw today [against Southampton].”
