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Diogo Dalot Was Denied The Chance To Wear His Favourite Number For Manchester United

Home> Football

Published 12:17 1 Mar 2022 GMT

Diogo Dalot Was Denied The Chance To Wear His Favourite Number For Manchester United

Dalot took the number when he joined United in 2018.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Diogo Dalot has admitted he wanted a different number at Manchester United, but it was already taken.

Dalot joined United from Porto in 2018 and spent his first few years at the club on the fringes, before spending last season on loan at AC Milan.

The 22-year-old is a regular under interim manager Ralf Rangnick and he appears to be first choice right-back ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka right now.

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His 55 appearances for United have come wearing the number 20 shirt, previously worn by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Robin van Persie.

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Alamy

In a recent Q&A on United's official website, Dalot revealed he originally wanted the number two shirt which is worn by Victor Lindelof.

The Portugal international explained: "When I came to the club, I gave a straight answer to the reporter. I think he asked me the same question.

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"My favourite is always the number two which, at the time and now, it's being worn by Victor. So it was not available at the time and it's still not. Then I was turning 20 years in that year, so number 20 sounded good for me as well.

"Seeing the legends who had worn the number as well, it's been a good number. I like it so hopefully it can bring me luck as well as it did for Robin and Ole."

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Alamy

Lindelof arrived from Benfica a year before Dalot and wasn't asked to switch numbers.

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Dalot and Alex Telles started Rangnick's first game in charge, a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, but Luke Shaw regained his starting spot ahead of Telles.

That's not the case on the opposite flank and Rangnick believes Dalot is the best offensive full-back United have on their books.

He told MUTV back in January: "I think, before until two or three months ago, he hasn’t had that much game-time because, on most occasions, Aaron was playing in that position.

"Right now, he’s getting a lot of game-time and we all know of all those offensive tools he has.

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Alamy

"He’s offensively one of the best full-backs we could have. He still has space for improvement in his defensive actions, one-on-one duels, anticipating and closing the gaps between himself and his teammates. There is still space for improvement but he’s still a player who can develop and learn."

United sit fourth in the Premier League and drew their last game 0-0 with Watford.

They return to action on Sunday against bitter rivals and league leaders Manchester City.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Diogo Dalot, Premier League, Manchester United

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

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@DanMarland_

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