Manchester United has kickstarted their preparations for the upcoming 2023/24 season by securing the services of Diogo Dalot, who became the first player to extend his contract under the reign of coach Erik ten Hag.
Expressing his delight, the Portuguese defender took to his personal page on May 31 (Hanoi time) to share his joy. "I am very happy to extend my time with this great club," wrote Dalot. "Manchester United is my home. I look forward to continuing to wear this shirt with dedication, making the fans proud, and helping the club achieve even more success."
According to British media, Dalot's new contract with Manchester United will be valid until June 2028, with an option to extend it for an additional year. The club's leadership also holds the right to automatically activate the extension without requiring the player's consent. Coach Ten Hag has reportedly been impressed with the 24-year-old defender's performances throughout the season and sees him as an integral part of the club's rebuilding process.
Dalot, who joined Manchester United from Porto in June 2018 for a fee of £19 million, was the first player retained by the club after the conclusion of the 2022/23 season. Initially, the Portuguese defender faced challenges in competing for regular playing time. In fact, he was loaned out to AC Milan during the 2020/21 season.
However, Dalot showcased significant progress during the 2022/23 campaign, earning the admiration of coach Ten Hag. Alongside Dalot, Manchester United's management is expected to secure the contract extensions of Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, and Fred before embarking on new player acquisitions. "Yes, I can confirm it (MU renews with Rashford, Shaw, Dalot, and Fred)," shared coach Ten Hag earlier this year. "We are happy to be on the right track, and all four players have made significant contributions. I am confident that this is the right decision."
According to ESPN, negotiations are underway with Rashford and Shaw for longer-term contracts than Fred. Apart from the aforementioned quartet, the future of David de Gea is still being evaluated by Ten Hag and the Manchester United Board of Directors, as the Spaniard's contract is set to expire in June. The club is actively working towards securing a strong foundation for the upcoming season, with these contract extensions signaling their commitment to building a successful future.
