The end of the season is drawing ever closer and it looks like Ineos are ready to wield the axe and completely change the Manchester United squad – if they can.
United just haven’t built on last season’s third-place finish and a top-four finish has completely slipped away.
Erik ten Hag has watched his side go backwards this season and that leaves the Dutchman fighting for his job at Old Trafford.
Ineos have come in and made huge changes, starting with a new technical director in Jason Wilcox and and incoming CEO in Omar Berrada.
More moves came on Tuesday night as interim chief executive Patrick Stewart and chief financial officer Cliff Baty were axed.
Ineos chief Jean-Claude Blanc is coming in as a new interim CEO, summing up that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co want their own men in the building.
If they weren’t already, everybody inside Old Trafford should be on red alert with Ineos clearly prepared to make big changes and big decisions.
Ten Hag falls into that category and so do the United players as The Telegraph claim that Ineos are ready to sell most of the squad.
It’s noted that Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are all off-limits but many other players will be available for the right price.
Diogo Dalot should be on Ineos no-sell list
We would imagine that Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes are off-limits too, but we believe that Diogo Dalot should be on that list too.
Dalot came into the season with question marks over him as the United right back battle continued.
United had two right backs – Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka – battling it out for a starting role without either really proving that they should be the first choice.
Both had talent and potential upon joining United but appeared to be stalling at United, failing to really build on early promise.
Their problems seemed to be quite different; Wan-Bissaka a strong 1v1 defender but limited going forward and Dalot having ability going forward but suspect defensively.
Dalot has now started 31 Premier League games this season and has enjoyed a campaign of real development.
The 25-year-old has been praised as ‘strong’ and ‘powerful’ by Gary Neville, who shared his belief that Dalot has the potential to become a top full back.
Dalot, snapped up by Jose Mourinho for around £19million in 2018 having shown promise at Porto.
It has taken a while but Dalot has now become a consistent performer,
Yes, there have been issues along the way; slack defending against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and a clumsy foul for a penalty against Chelsea spring to mind.
Dalot has certainly improved this season though and we would be surprised if Ineos add him to the list of players who can leave this summer.
Dalot offers versatility to play on the left side and he has been injury-free – something you can’t say for many United players.
Availability and versatility go a long way but Dalot is improving as a defender and still making an impact going forward.
There is still room for Dalot to get better too and this feels like the season win which he has really pulled himself clear of Wan-Bissaka.
Contract should secure Dalot’s Manchester United future
It’s also worth highlighting that Dalot only signed a new contract with United a year ago.
Dalot was handed a new five-year deal in May 2023, securing his future at the club until 2028 – and there is an option to extend that agreement until 2029.
The Portugal international is locked down for years to come and that gives him some form of security as Ineos make their changes.
Dalot needed to take that contract and really prove his worth this season and he has done that, showing that he deserves to stick around.
Others may be a little uneasy and fearing for their future, but we believe Dalot has proven himself worth of being kept around – whether it’s Ten Hag or another manager in the dugout next season.