Atletico Madrid Eye Dalot Raid as Man Utd Brace for Summer Overhaul

Atletico Madrid are plotting a summer raid on Manchester United's defence, with their sights firmly set on luring Diogo Dalot to the Wanda Metropolitano.

The Spanish outfit are 'confident' in their pursuit of the Portuguese full-back, who has featured regularly for the Red Devils under both Ruben Amorim and interim successor Michael Carrick. The 26-year-old has started in both of Carrick's opening matches in charge—victories over Manchester City and Arsenal—but faces an uncertain future amid the managerial upheaval at Old Trafford.

Amorim's sacking earlier this month has left plenty of questions hanging over United's summer plans, with Carrick holding the fort until a permanent replacement is appointed. Dalot has attracted criticism this season, and speculation about his potential departure has intensified depending on who arrives to take the helm.

Atletico are eyeing the former Porto man—who joined United for approximately £19m in 2019—as they look to bolster their defensive ranks. Diego Simeone's side want to address inconsistency in their backline and are keen to shuffle their midfield by freeing up Marcos Llorente for a more central berth. Dalot would fit that brief perfectly.

The La Liga side are 'prepared to make a significant financial effort' to get their man and are buoyed by what they perceive as the appeal of their stable project and regular European football. They plan to 'submit a formal offer as soon as the summer window opens' in a bid to convince United's board.

Critically, Dalot himself 'would welcome a move to the Spanish capital'—a factor that could prove decisive in any negotiations.

Not everyone at United is convinced the defender should depart, however. Gary Neville has publicly backed the full-back to remain at Old Trafford, dismissing suggestions he's anything less than a reliable operator.

Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, the United legend acknowledged Dalot receives harsh treatment from sections of the support but insisted there's genuine quality in his armoury. "I actually think there's a half-decent full back in there," Neville declared.

The former defender praised Dalot's athleticism, aerial prowess, and ball-playing ability, noting his defensive discipline at the back post. He conceded the Portuguese international isn't world-class—"neither was I," he quipped—but reckoned he's capable of delivering a consistent 7/10 performance weekly.

Neville's key caveat was tactical: he expressed concern about Dalot's deployment as a wing-back, where he's been exposed defensively on previous occasions. Played exclusively as a right-back, however, Neville reckoned there's no case for United to rush him out the door.

"I wouldn't be getting rid of him in a hurry," Neville concluded, though he acknowledged others may take a different view.