Manchester United’s hopes of salvaging their season have been dealt a fresh blow after manager Ruben Amorim confirmed that Diogo Dalot could miss the remainder of the campaign due to a calf injury.
The Portuguese international, who has been one of United’s most consistent performers this season, was restricted to a substitute appearance in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Wolves.
Amorim revealed that the decision to bench Dalot was precautionary, aimed at keeping him fresh for the season’s decisive fixtures. However, that plan has backfired, with the 26-year-old sustaining a muscle problem that could rule him out of action for the final stages of the season.
“Diogo Dalot is out. He has something in his muscle, in his calf,” Amorim told reporters ahead of Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth.
“There is that possibility [he misses the rest of the season], but I don’t know. We’ll check week by week because he works hard; he can recover quite well.”
Dalot has been a key figure for the Red Devils this term, amassing 51 appearances across all competitions, the most of any United outfield player, and missing just one game due to suspension.
His reliability and versatility have made him indispensable in a squad plagued by inconsistency and injuries.
The timing of his absence couldn’t be worse, with a crucial Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao looming on Thursday.
United’s chances of ending the season with silverware now rest heavily on the outcome of their European campaign, especially given their dire Premier League form.
Currently languishing in 14th place, the club is enduring its worst top-flight run in decades.
If their slide continues, Amorim could preside over United’s lowest league finish since their relegation from the First Division in the 1973–74 season.
Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim has struggled to stabilize the ship, and injuries to key players like Dalot only make his task harder.
