Jose Mourinho made no secret of his desire to strengthen his full-back options.
For years, Manchester United have been far too reliant on Antonio Valencia at right-back while the club has been forced to rely on makeshift left-back Ashley Young in recent seasons. While Young has adapted admirably and Valencia continues to prove his worth, reinforcements have been necessary for some time and Mourinho hopes to have remedied that with the signing of Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot.
On Wednesday, United confirmed the acquisition of Dalot, a Portugal U21 international, for a fee believed to be around £19 million. At 19 years of age, Dalot has a bright future ahead of him and Mourinho has been a fan of the youngster for several years.
“In his age group, he is the best full-back in Europe,” Mourinho said of the new arrival.
About yesterday, then… #BemvindoDalot #MUFC pic.twitter.com/yeAW29CA0J
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 7, 2018
“He is an extremely talented young defender with all the qualities to quickly become a great player for this club. He has all the attributes that a full-back needs: physicality, tactical intelligence and technical quality, combined with a Porto academy mentality which prepares players for the maturity they need at the professional level.”
However, Mourinho’s claim that United have just signed the best full-back in Europe in his age group has prompted a reaction from some Liverpool fans. Reds supporters have claimed that Dalot has some ways to go to prove that he is better than their beloved Trent Alexander-Arnold.
https://twitter.com/Gavin_Connor/status/1004415616613265417
Mourinho saying Dalot is best full back in his age group in Europe is laughable. Not even the best in his age group in the prem. Trent Alexander Arnold is miles better.
— Andrew Gibney (@supergibbs89) June 6, 2018
Dalot better than Trent Arnold mourinho confirms he has lost it
— chris (@chrisg1196) June 6, 2018
Mourinho really said Dalot is the best full back of his generation. He's mad when there's a lad called Trent Alexander Arnold who has played in a Champions League final already at 19.
— Santi Malcolm (@SantiWest100) June 6, 2018
#Dalot ‘best young fullback in europe’ ever heard of a lad called Trent?
— Leamy (@LeamyLad) June 6, 2018
Jose clearly losing his mind saying dalot best player in his age group in Europe ha ha forget about Trent Arnold did you !!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Conor.mortimer ⚽️ (@Conmort) June 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Couzizou/status/1004553721181810695
Manchester United have signed the "best young full-back in Europe" in Diogo Dalot – Jose Mourinho. He’s made 7 first team appearances. Can I remind you that there’s a player called Trent Alexander-Arnold, who pocketed Ronaldo in the Champions League Final.
— Ik Ard (@DarthVader3880) June 7, 2018
Don’t compare Dalot to Trent #nocontest
— Jay Chambers (@JChambersSN) June 7, 2018
Trent Alexander Arnold > Dalot
— 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙯 🧜🏽♂️ (@kayceeflowz) June 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/RonohKechem/status/1004630406837268480
