Ten Hag left ‘very pleased’ with resurgent £85k-a-week United man who’s in the running for POTY

Manchester United rounded off their 2023/2024 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win away to Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday.

The eighth-placed finish is a significant drop-off from last season when the Reds finished third and booked their spot in the Champions League for the following term.

Now, there is no European football on the cards for United next season unless they reign victorious against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Nevertheless, voting is currently open for the Old Trafford faithful to have their say over the club’s Player of the Year award, and one Red who’s believed to be well in the running is Diogo Dalot.

He netted his sixth United goal on Sunday when breaking the deadlock at the Amex in the 73rd minute, ensuring that the side finishes the tumultuous season on some form of a high with one last victory on the road.

Aside from his contributions, though, Dalot, who earns a reported £85,000 per week, has emerged as one of Erik ten Hag’s most trusted lieutenants over the past two years.

The 25-year-old has now etched his name onto the teamsheet each week and is regarded by supporters as United’s most improved player across 2023/2024, leaving Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s future in doubt.

His availability has also been second to none; Dalot has featured in every single match this season except one against West Ham United due to suspension. Amidst the term’s debilitating injury crisis, which has wreaked havoc on the manager’s plans, having the Portuguese consistently fit has been vital.

Ten Hag lauds influential starter

As such, Ten Hag hailed the defender for his efforts over the past nine months when analysing his resurgent form post-match at the weekend.

“It is about making overloads in midfield and, from there on, he is a very good runner in behind. He can do it from left and right full-back. He can attack from there but also in the centre areas and on wide areas by bringing crosses in,” he declared, as cited by ManUtd.com.

“He is a player who has developed as a full-back, and not as just as a full-back, but also as an inverted one too. I think his development has been very good this season and we are very pleased with him.”