A defender who Manchester United paid a fairly modest fee for in 2018, by Premier League standards, is now thought to be worth more than Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.
Despite all of the criticism that has come Erik ten Hag’s way this season, it’s been hard to argue that he hasn’t handed opportunities to young players.
Starting from the back, Ten Hag has given opportunities to youngsters Willy Kambwala, Kobbie Mainoo, Omari Forson and Ethan Wheatley.
The Dutchman isn’t afraid to use the club’s youth products – a trait well received by any fan base in world football.
And particularly in the case of Mainoo, Ten Hag has provided a platform for the 19-year-old to receive recognition from his national team – with Gareth Southgate recently praising his season.
Perhaps some may feel that Ten Hag’s midfield could now be doing more to help take Mainoo’s progress further, but perhaps that will be the case should he be in charge next season.
The Dutchman hasn’t been perfect by any means, but has also helped improve some of the more senior players at the club too, namely Diogo Dalot.
Diogo Dalot now worth more than Ruben Dias after strong Man United season
Since signing for United for £19m back in 2018, Dalot hasn’t necessarily shown the potential or consistency that many expected.
But this season has been different, the Portuguese full-back has stepped up and taken responsibility at the back on more than one occasion.
Much like the rest of United’s strong performers, he hasn’t been perfect, but he’s shown sufficient evidence that he can be a concrete part of the club’s plans moving forward.
Dalot was available for every game, starting all but three and offered versatility on both sides of defence – his best season in a Manchester United shirt.
And according to a new report by the Football Observatory, 25-year-old Dalot is now thought to be worth as much as €72.4m, or roughly £63m.
For context, that is more than both Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven (£61m) and Man City’s Ruben Dias (£60m) – two of the best defenders in the league.
Rasmus Hojlund considered Man United’s most valuable player
The list mentioned contained the top 100 players worldwide ranked by transfer value, and included three other United players.
Rasmus Hojlund was ranked highest at a lofty £105m, Alejandro Garnacho slightly below at £96m, and in a summer in which he’s being linked with a move away, Marcus Rashford is valued at £72m.
Evidently whoever is in charge of Manchester United next season will have a strong core of talent to work with, even if the overall squad needs a lot of work.
But if United are able to attract the likes of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite to Old Trafford this summer, they could have the nucleus of something special.
All that being said, United have now sent a message to their shortlist of managers to replace Ten Hag.