Man Utd: £19m star is ‘most improved player' under Ten Hag at Old Trafford

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot is the ‘most improved player of the season’ so far, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 23-year-old has cemented his status as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice right-back in the early stages of the new manager’s reign and has so far justified his selection in the starting XI.

Dalot first arrived at Old Trafford via a £19 million move from his boyhood club FC Porto back in 2018 when he was still a teenager.

Jose Mourinho was the United manager when the Portugal international joined and labelled him an “extremely talented young defender with all the qualities to quickly become a great player for this club.”

However, Dalot started just 13 Premier League games during his first two campaigns with the Red Devils before enjoying a season-long loan spell with AC Milan throughout 2020/21.

He then displaced Aaron Wan-Bissaka at full-back following the arrival of former interim boss Ralf Rangnick last November and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

United were linked with the likes of Sergino Dest and Denzel Dumfries in the summer window, though, but that was perhaps more an indication that Wan-Bissaka’s days at the club are numbered.

Ten Hag’s charges have recovered well following a shocking start to the campaign when they lost their opening two encounters to Brighton and Brentford.

Dalot has more than played his part in United’s upturn in form, and Jones has praised his performances in a recent interview with GiveMeSport.

He said: “He’s been the most improved player of the season so far. And it might just get them through to that January window when they can reassess it.”

Dalot has provided one assist in his seven appearances across all competitions so far this season, but his