Diogo Dalot receives late Portugal call-up as Man City star tests COVID-19 positive

Diogo Dalot has been called up to the Portugal national team at late notice after Manchester City star Joao Cancelo withdrew from the squad after testing positive for COVID-19. The former Juventus and Inter defender was set to start every game for his side, but will now be unable to feature due to medical and quarantine reasons.

Instead, Dalot will take his place after narrowly missing out on Euro U21 glory with his nation earlier this month. Dalot started all of his side’s knockout games, but lost 1-0 to Germany in the final.

Dalot is yet to make his debut for the senior side and has been given the chance to impress Fernando Santos after a difficult couple of years at Manchester United.

The young right-back spent the 2020/21 season on loan at AC Milan and according to reports, the Italian side are willing to bring him to the San Siro on another loan with a view to making the deal permanent.

Solskjaer has shown little faith in Dalot since he took over, which was underlined last year when he allowed the defender to leave, leaving him with no natural replacements for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Dalot’s call-up to Portugal means that Manchester United will have 12 players at the tournament, a joint third most of any European club.

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