Carlton Cole has said Diogo Dalot 'won the lottery' when he joined Manchester United and should have been sold years ago. The former England striker's comments come after a difficult period for the defender, who has faced criticism for his recent displays.
Dalot is one of United's longest-serving players, having made over 250 appearances for the Red Devils since his £19m move from Porto in 2018. Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho hailed Dalot as the 'best young full-back in Europe' at the time, but the Portugal international has attracted much criticism during his time at Old Trafford.
Recent struggles and fan reaction
Dalot has endured a particularly poor couple of weeks, struggling in United's Champions League win over Roma and Sunday's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League. The 27-year-old was branded 'atrocious' after the Roma clash and was booed as he was subbed off by Michael Carrick against Villa.
Cole is shocked Dalot is still at Manchester United and says the full-back 'probably can't believe his luck'. Speaking on The Dressing Room podcast, Cole said: 'It's got to be down to Michael Carrick as well. 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?'
Cole's criticism of Dalot
'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 check, 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.'
Carrick's response
Manchester United fans cheered when Carrick prepared to sub off Dalot against Aston Villa and then booed as he made his way off the pitch. 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. 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.'
An eighth league game without a win leaves Manchester United 18th in the Premier League going into the November international break. A dismal start to the 2026/27 campaign looks set to cost Carrick his job at Old Trafford, with Eddie Howe the current frontrunner to take over.
