Manchester United are about to find out how much Diogo Dalot has improved

Diogo Dalot punched the cold air under the floodlights at St. James' Park in late December. Edinson Cavani had just scored for Manchester United to equalise against Newcastle with 20 minutes remaining and Dalot celebrated on his own in the corner.

The right-back played the cross into the box that resulted in Cavani's goal after a sequence of blocks and he looked toward the heavens, which is where the away fans are seated at St. James Park, and he raised his hands, gesturing in relief.

The roar of the travelling supporters drowned out the groans of disappointment from the exasperated home section and chants of "UNITED, UNITED, UNITED," erupted from the heavens. Newcastle had been the better side in the match and the result should have been beyond doubt, but they failed to take their opportunities and Cavani punished their wastefulness.

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That didn't matter on the night, as it meant United returned to Manchester with a point when they probably didn't deserve one, although that did explain why Dalot's celebration was a combination of relief, ecstasy and appreciation for Cavani.

Dalot's performance against Newcastle at St. James' Park last season epitomised the player that he is. Dalot struggled to deal with the threat of Allan Saint-Maximin, who scored the opening goal, but he was the player who provided the cross for the equaliser.

Although Harry Maguire still had an opportunity to prevent Saint-Maximin from scoring, Dalot was responsible for giving the winger the space to fashion his goalscoring chance and the Frenchman continued to cause him problems from that moment.

Newcastle looked to give the ball to Saint-Maximin whenever they were in possession and it