The unlikely winner of Manchester United's transfer window

It didn’t take long for Diogo Dalot to learn where he would be playing his football this season. While a host of Manchester United players endured a summer of uncertainty, the Portugal international was told in no uncertain terms that he was part of Erik ten Hag’s plans.

That vote of confidence represented a remarkable reversal of fortune for a player who has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old was hailed as United’s new Gary Neville under Jose Mourinho, turfed out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - before being thrown a lifeline by Ralf Rangnick.

But even after forcing his way ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the second half of last season, he looked like one of the more vulnerable members of an imbalanced squad inherited by Ten Hag in the summer.