'Very pleased': Erik ten Hag blown away by what £30m United star has done this season

Manchester United finished their Premier League campaign on a positive note with a 2-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday.

Their performance was far from their best, but the players stepped up in the second half to secure a much-needed win before the FA Cup final.

Diogo Dalot, who has had a fine season for the Red Devils, scored the opening goal in the 73rd minute.

Speaking after the game, manager Erik ten Hag was impressed with Dalot. He said that the Portuguese has not only developed as a full-back, but also as an inverted one.

The Dutch tactician added that the 25-year-old’s development has been ‘very good’ and he is ‘very pleased’ with his performances this campaign.

He told Manutd.com: “It is about making overloads in midfield and, from there on, he is a very good runner in behind, he can do it from left and right full-back. He can attack from there but also in the centre areas and on wide areas, by bringing crosses in.”

“He is a player who has developed as a full-back, and not as just as a full-back, but also as an inverted one too. I think his development has been very good this season and we are very pleased with him.”

Dalot has been almost ever-present for the Red Devils this term. He has featured in 49 out of the club’s 51 games, missing one of those through suspension.

The £30 million-rated star has been in the starting line-up for 92 per cent of the games. In our view, he is a clear favourite for the club’s Player of the Year award.

Dalot has stepped up on most occasions for United. He has played at left-back several times in the absence of the injured Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

United take on arch-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Dalot will have a huge job on his hands against either Jeremy Doku or Phil Foden.

The Red Devils will start as potential underdogs. They need to be defensively solid against the Cityzens to have any chance of securing a 13th FA Cup title.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com