Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot pulls out of the Portugal squad for their final two Euro 2024 qualification matches “for personal reasons”.
Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot has pulled out of the Portugal squad for the country’s final two Euro 2024 qualification matches “for personal reasons”.
The 24-year-old has been an important player for the Red Devils this season, making 17 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal in the process.
Dalot is also very much part of the Portugal set-up, featuring in six of his nation’s eight qualification matches for next summer’s European Championship.
The defender was also unsurprisingly named in Roberto Martinez‘s squad for the nation’s final two games in the qualification progress against Liechtenstein and Iceland on November 16 and November 19 respectively.
Portugal are already through to next summer’s European Championship, though, winning all eight of their games during a brilliant campaign, scoring 32 times and conceding just twice.
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Dalot will not be involved for his country during the November international break, with Man United revealing that the defender has left the camp “for personal reasons”.
“Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has withdrawn from the Portugal squad ahead of their two upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying games,” read the statement on the club’s official website.
“After talks with coach Martinez, Dalot has been released for personal reasons. Porto’s young right-back Joao Mario has been drafted in and is poised to make his senior international debut.
“Meanwhile, Diogo’s club colleague Bruno Fernandes remains part of the squad as the United captain looks to add to his 61 international caps and 18 goals.”
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Dalot has largely been used in his favoured right-back position by Man United this season, but he has also played at left-back when Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been available for selection.
Wan-Bissaka missed out against Luton Town on Saturday afternoon through illness, though, which led to him reverting back to the right side of the defence for the contest with the promoted club.
Man United have also seen both Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen withdraw from the Denmark squad due to injuries that were suffered against Luton.
Hojlund has a muscular strain but could return for the team’s next match, which comes against Everton at Goodison Park on November 26.
Eriksen is out for around a month with a knee issue, though, with the Red Devils suffering another injury blow at key stage of the campaign.