Speculation is mounting over a potential sensational return to Manchester United for former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Should the Norwegian make an Old Trafford comeback, he would be reunited with a player who has emphatically proven his early doubts wrong: defender Diogo Dalot.
Solskjaer's Damning Private Verdict
Diogo Dalot arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2018, signed by Jose Mourinho in his final transfer window at the club. When Solskjaer took over, initially on a temporary basis after Mourinho's sacking in December 2018, the Portuguese full-back found opportunities limited.
After securing the job permanently, Solskjaer's faith in Dalot appeared minimal. One of his earliest major decisions was to sanction a £50 million move for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer of 2019. This investment starkly contrasted with the manager's view of Dalot, who managed just four Premier League appearances in the 2019/20 campaign amid injury issues.
Sources at the time revealed Solskjaer's blunt private assessment, overheard and later made public, that he believed Dalot "couldn't defend." This lack of trust was highlighted in July 2020, when Solskjaer preferred to give Timothy Fosu-Mensah his first United start in three years over Dalot for a match against Crystal Palace.
Loan Spell and Redemption Under New Managers
Dalot spent the entire 2020/21 season on loan at AC Milan, where he faced his parent club in the Europa League. Despite celebrating a late equaliser for the Italian side, he never gave up on his United future.
His fortunes began to change after Solskjaer's dismissal in November 2021. Under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, Dalot earned more consistent starting opportunities. By the end of the 2021/22 season, United were open to offers for Wan-Bissaka but not for Dalot, signalling a dramatic shift in his status.
"I feel like I'm a Man United player," Dalot asserted during the club's pre-season tour of Australia in the summer of 2022. "I wanna be ready for the manager, for the club, and every time he needs me I'm gonna be there."
Establishing Himself as a United Stalwart
Erik ten Hag's arrival as manager further solidified Dalot's place. The Dutchman maintained confidence in him, and after Wan-Bissaka was sold to West Ham in 2024, Dalot's position became even more secure.
Subsequent manager Ruben Amorim was also impressed, utilising Dalot's versatility in a wing-back system on both flanks. Earlier this season, Dalot made his 150th Premier League appearance for the club, a milestone far removed from the mere 10 league starts he managed under Solskjaer across nearly three years.
While occasional questions about his defensive solidity persist, they have not threatened his role as a valuable asset who offers both defensive work and an attacking threat.
If Solskjaer does return to the Manchester United dugout, he will find a player transformed. Diogo Dalot, once deemed not good enough, has convinced multiple managers of his worth and stands as a testament to resilience and development at the highest level of English football.
