Injury expert makes ‘massive’ Diogo Dalot claim after Man United twist
Man United are expected to be without Diogo Dalot for the Manchester derby this weekend after his hamstring injury against Charlton Athletic.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Dalot was named in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup on Tuesday (10 January) as Man United booked their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
However, the 23-year-old right-back only lasted 34 minutes before being replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka after visibly struggling with a hamstring injury.
Following the full-time whistle, Ten Hag stated the injury was “not serious”, but Dalot now faces a race to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League showdown with rivals Man City.
Dinnery doesn’t expect Dalot to make the starting lineup given his previous hamstring struggles with Portugal at the World Cup.
“Prior to any evaluations that will be carried out over the next 24 to 48 hours, I would say that Dalot is almost certain to be out of the starting lineup,” Dinnery told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“There are huge risk factors for players returning from hamstring problems, particularly in the first 28 days – you’re at massive risk of recurrence.
“Erik ten Hag initially downplayed it in his post-match press conference, hoping that it was more of a precautionary measure.
“But you can never be 100 per cent certain, and with a quick turnaround between games there will be worry and concern.
“Man United are looking at seven to 10 days without Dalot and then you also factor in that he’s just returned from that hamstring issue he picked up in Qatar and I’d be very surprised if he makes the squad and the starting lineup.”
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