Manchester United face Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
Diogo Dalot is likely to be in contention to start for the Red Devils, but he could have been representing the La Liga winners if not for Ralf Rangnick.
That’s according to AS, who state Los Rojiblancos had the Portugal international in their list to replace Kieran Trippier. The England international left Madrid for Newcastle United last month.
Dalot was an ‘object of desire’ for Diego Simeone’s side in the past, which included the winter market. Atlético sporting director Andrea Berta handled ‘very good reports’ of him from his loan spell at AC Milan last season.
Despite the ‘attempts’ made by the Spanish champions, the Premier League side decided not to let the fullback leave since they ‘saw in him the qualities to be a starter’.
The Portugal international has been the first choice right back since Rangnick arrived at Old Trafford. United appointed the German as the interim manager until the end of the season after parting ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last November.
Dalot’s current deal expires in 2023 and AS explain the next window makes it ‘important’ for both him and the Manchester club to consider a possible transfer. United, however, have an option to further extend the contract by a year.
Atlético are ‘attentive’ and the newspaper claims the ‘permanent instability at United may encourage’ them to ‘return to charge’ for Dalot in the summer.
