Real Madrid ramp up pursuit of United’s Portuguese star after major dressing-room bust-up – report

Manchester United are expecting a busy summer ahead, with numerous arrivals and departures anticipated at Old Trafford. With the position of head coach still undecided, this close season is set to be a dramatic one for INEOS, who are starting to feel the pressure after a less than satisfactory start to life as minority shareholders. Much will be made of United’s signings, but the extent of their squad overhaul and the calibre of player they can attract may depend on who they are able to move on. Funds required to go big in the market It’s no secret the Red Devils have overspent in most of their recent summer windows, and raising money through player sales is the quickest way to fund new arrivals. As reported by TeamTalk, full-back Diogo Dalot is attracting interest from abroad and could find himself in La Liga at the start of next season. According to the report, Spanish giants Real Madrid are seriously considering an approach for the Portugal international to replace club legend Dani Carvajal. The six-time Champions League winner is reportedly “very upset” with his situation at the Bernabeu after being left out of recent games under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Carvajal aired his frustrations with the club and could well find himself frozen out under the new head coach for the remainder of the campaign. Furthermore, the 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer and, with no new deal on the table, he is expected to leave the Spanish capital at the end of the season. Madrid see Dalot as a “very appealing” option due to his ability to play at both right and left-back, and the chances of them making a move for the United man are “increasing”. Arbeloa has missed the boat to improve his squad in the winter window but will naturally expect his club to back him with new arrivals in the summer. United willing to sell? As per the article, United are “happy” with Dalot but “would consider selling” the 26-year-old due to his decent market value. The defender has had his critics during his time in Manchester but has been virtually ever-present in the first team over the past few seasons. However, it would be interesting to see how the club react to a sizeable bid for the player, who looks far more settled in a back four since the arrival of interim head coach Michael Carrick. Dalot will be close to chalking up 250 appearances for United come the end of the season and has certainly divided opinion since his arrival from FC Porto in 2018. Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Conner Botterill Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the Champions League victory in Paris under one the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.