Man Utd star who ‘won the lottery’ told he should have been dumped years ago
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole believes Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot “won the lottery” when he moved to Old Trafford, but that he should have been sold years ago.
Dalot is one of United’s longest-serving players, having signed from Porto for £19million back in 2018, and has gone on to make 256 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.
At the time of signing, former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho hailed Dalot as the ‘best young full-back in Europe’, but the Portugal international has endured a mixed time at Old Trafford.
The last fortnight has been particularly bad, with the 27-year-old vacating his full-back position too often and leaving so much space that was exploited by Roma in the Champions League, while he produced another poor display in the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa over the weekend.
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Indeed, Dalot was branded ‘atrocious’ after the Roma game and then booed as he was substituted by under-pressure boss Michael Carrick against Villa.
And Cole admits to being shocked that Dalot is still at United and says the full-back ‘probably can’t believe his luck’.
“It’s got to be down to Michael Carrick as well,” Cole said on The Dressing Room podcast when discussing the nightmare that is currently Manchester United.
“He’s playing certain personnel in that team that I’m thinking, ‘how are you even still there?’ I’ve said it before but Diogo Dalot, how is he still there?
“He’s way off it, he is way off it. You can’t depend on him. All he’s thinking about is his next pay cheque, that’s what’s going through his head.
“He’s not worried about saving the gaffer’s job. He probably can’t believe his luck that he’s there, he’s playing at Old Trafford in front of those brilliant fans in a lovely stadium with all that history.
“For me, he’s won the lottery. I don’t know how he’s on that pitch. He keeps making the same mistakes and getting caught out, he was at fault last week and he was at fault again at the weekend.”
Old Trafford fans actually cheered when Carrick prepared to take off Dalot against Villa and then booed when he eventually made his way to the United dugout.
Asked about that reaction after the game, Carrick said: “We’ve got to be careful with that, I think. I understand the frustration. I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it.
“We’re all frustrated. We’re all disappointed. And the players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that.
“Diogo gives absolutely everything. He’s played in different positions. He’s played left-back. He’s played really well at times. He gives a penalty away today. That’s, you know… he knows that.
“Maybe he can do a little bit better. Alright, that’s part of it, he’s made a mistake. But he cares an awful lot, and he’s given everything.
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“So I like what he brings to the team. I like what he brings to the group. I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we’ve got.
“Picking the team and who plays the next game, that’s a whole different decision. But it’s a whole different game that we’ve got to look forward to now.”
United, who currently sit in 18th place in the table, are back in action on November 22 when they head to bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.
