Diogo Dalot’s return to Italy with Manchester United brings him back to a country that still feels like an unfinished part of his career. More than six years after his final Serie A appearance for Milan, the Portuguese defender faces Como in the Champions League, carrying memories of a single season that restored his confidence and placed him back on United’s path.
The decision
Dalot’s last outing in Serie A came on 23 May 2021, when he entered late in Milan’s 2-0 victory away to Atalanta in Bergamo. It was the closing scene of his loan spell under Stefano Pioli, a campaign without silverware but with considerable personal importance for a player who had needed a fresh start.
The Braga-born full-back had come through Porto’s academy before joining Manchester United at a young age during José Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford. Milan gave him one full Italian season in 2020-21 before he returned to England, and Dalot has spoken of how warmly he was received at Milanello and San Siro.
He has described that year as among the defining seasons of his career, saying Milan helped him rediscover belief in his own football at a moment when he needed it. Paolo Maldini was central to that experience. The former Milan director was regularly present at training, offering practical defensive advice and, at other times, telling Dalot not to force matters because his quality would show through.
United chose not to extend the loan in the summer of 2021, despite Milan’s willingness to keep him. The decision has been justified by Dalot’s development in Manchester. He has now spent five seasons back with the club, winning the FA Cup and League Cup, and has recently passed 250 United appearances.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, his current teammate, have made more appearances for United among Portuguese players. Dalot has become a significant figure at Old Trafford, principally on the right but capable of operating on the opposite flank as well.
His current Premier League figures underline that standing. No defender has created more chances than Dalot this season, while his 15 successful duels are also the division’s highest total. He was included in the Premier League team of the week despite United’s disappointing draw with Leeds.
Yet the longer-term question remains open. Dalot’s contract runs until 2028, and United would prefer not to lose a player they regard as important. Without a new agreement, however, his position could eventually draw attention across Europe.
Italy has not stopped watching. Roma previously attempted to bring him back with a loan proposal including an obligation to buy, but could not reach terms with United. Milan, Inter and Juventus have all made enquiries, although there is no active negotiation at present.
The situation at United may shape the next stage. The club are closer to the relegation places than the European positions and approach their third Champions League fixture after six matches without a win. The pressure around Michael Carrick is increasing, with Antonio Conte discussed as a possible successor; Conte has also been linked with Juventus, where Luciano Spalletti’s position is far from settled.
At 27, Dalot is entering his prime. The prospect of missing out on Champions League football could become a factor in any future choice, particularly if United’s difficult period continues and contract talks do not advance. Italy would offer a familiar setting rather than an unknown one: he would have remained at Milan in 2021 had United allowed it.
Como and an old Italian connection
Dalot has never previously played at Como’s Sinigaglia stadium. During his Milan season, the Lombardy club had not yet returned to Serie A. His Champions League visit therefore gives him a new Italian ground, but also returns him to the environment where a short spell left a lasting mark.
Milan was not the destination where Dalot collected trophies, but it was a formative passage between his early uncertainty at United and his present status as one of their established senior players. Whether that connection becomes relevant again will depend on decisions still to be made in Manchester.
