“He is the best full-back in Europe for his age group. He is a very gifted young defender with all the potential to develop into a great player for this team very quickly, declared Jose Mourihno in the summer of 2018 after the €22 million acquisition of Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot from FC Porto.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Special One’s successor, dug deep to get England international Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in a whopping £47 million deal, the now 23-year-old struggled to make the first squad in his first season at Old Trafford.
The Portugal international was also forced to spend the 2020–21 season on loan at Serie A team, AC Milan, and was set to move to the San Siro Stadium in a permanent deal, but his determination to stay at Old Trafford and contend for his spot led him to make an incredible comeback to the Red half of Manchester.
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And now, the 23-year-old has truly taken off, dominating wingers in the right flank spot and causing serious problems for the defense of the opponent with his precise crosses and offensive inventiveness alongside English star, Jadon Sancho.
The Portuguese teenager has two assists to his credit in eight appearances for the Red Devils this year. He also leads the team in aerial duels won, chances created, tackles won, ball recoveries, interceptions made, and touches on the ball, clearly demonstrating his immense value to Erik ten Hag’s team.
By contributing two goals to Portugal’s 4-0 victory over Czech Republic on Saturday night in the UEFA Nations League matches, he has managed to replicate his club form on the international stage, proving Jose Mourihno’s remarks from back in 2018 to be accurate. Without a doubt, the now-AS Roma manager merits a great deal of praise from the Old Trafford managers.