Manchester United's Diogo Dalot pictured during a match in the 2025 season amid injury concerns as he withdraws from Portugal duty. Photo credit: Getty Images via ESPN.
Credit: Getty Images via ESPN
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has withdrawn from Portugal’s squad due to muscle discomfort sustained in training, adding to the club’s injury concerns ahead of the crucial Manchester derby on September 14.
Diogo Dalot Injury Setback Hits Manchester United Before Crucial Derby Clash
Manchester United officially confirmed that Diogo Dalot has withdrawn from Portugal’s September internationals due to muscle discomfort while training with the national team. The Portuguese Football Federation reported the injury and called up Lazio’s Nuno Tavares as Dalot’s replacement, forcing the versatile defender to return to Manchester United’s Carrington facility for medical assessment ahead of a demanding fixture list that includes the high-stakes Manchester derby against City.
The timing proves particularly problematic for United, with Dalot having featured prominently in the early season matches including two Premier League starts and a key role in the 3-2 victory over Burnley where he operated as left wing-back. His withdrawal compounds existing fitness concerns at Old Trafford, with teammates Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount also dealing with injuries from recent matches, Cunha notably withdrawing after 31 minutes against Burnley with a hamstring problem.
Dalot’s injury history raises additional concerns about his availability for crucial upcoming fixtures. The defender missed six games at the end of the previous season due to calf problems and was limited to just five minutes in the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, suggesting a pattern of muscular injuries affecting his availability during critical periods.
Manchester United’s medical staff will now assess Dalot following his return from international duty, though no detailed prognosis or timetable for recovery has been publicly provided by club sources. The defender’s versatility in playing both right and left wing-back positions makes his potential absence particularly significant for tactical flexibility, especially with the accumulation of injuries across key squad members raising strategic questions for manager’s selection options.
The severity and exact timeline for Dalot’s recovery remain unspecified, with conflicting speculation about whether he will miss the Manchester derby and subsequent challenging fixtures including matches against Chelsea. Further updates are expected within the week as Manchester United’s medical evaluations conclude, with the club taking a precautionary approach to manage the injury internally and mitigate further risk before their most demanding period of the season begins.
