Manchester United Defender Dalot Withdraws Portugal Squad Amid Injury Concerns

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has withdrawn from Portugal's international squad due to muscle discomfort, raising concerns about the club's defensive depth ahead of a challenging fixture list including the upcoming Manchester derby against City. Dalot's injury follows a series of fitness issues for key players such as Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, both carrying injuries sustained during recent matches. Despite United's promising underlying statistics in the Premier League, the absence of Dalot and other key players exacerbates the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim's squad management. Dalot has been a consistent and integral player for United, making his withdrawal a significant setback, especially as the club's summer transfer window focused more on attacking reinforcements than defensive depth. His injury history, including a calf problem last season, adds to the uncertainty surrounding his availability. The return of Noussair Mazraoui offers some relief, but United must closely monitor Dalot's recovery to avoid long-term issues amid a busy schedule.