Diogo Dalot has broken his silence on his Manchester United injury as he assesses his chances of making the Europa League final.
Manchester United are gearing up for their penultimate Premier League fixture of the 2024/25 season, as Rúben Amorim’s side travel to the capital to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a Friday night showdown.
It will be United’s final away match of the campaign, with their last fixture taking place at Old Trafford on Sunday, 25 May, when Aston Villa visit for what will bring the curtain down on a miserable domestic season.
The Reds will approach the Chelsea clash with one eye firmly on the Europa League final, as they prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on Wednesday 21 May in a bid to end the season with silverware.
Whatever happens in the final two league matches, United are already guaranteed their worst-ever Premier League finish, currently languishing in 16th place with just 39 points from 36 games.
Dalot issues injury update ahead of Chelsea tie
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Chelsea fixture, Diogo Dalot addressed the media about his current injury. He has missed the club’s last five fixtures due to a calf injury.
“I’m feeling good,” the Portuguese international said when asked for an update on his injury. “So, feeling better every day. We just, at this stage, we go day by day to see how it goes, but so far so good.”
Further, the player was asked if he thinks he could be fit to play in the Europa League final next week, to which he replied, “[I am working] really hard. You can imagine how much I want to be back as soon as possible. But we will see.”
Dalot has amassed 2,889 minutes across 33 fixtures under Amorim so far, becoming one of the head coach’s most reliable assets prior to his injury.
Amorim not as confident about Dalot’s injury return
Amorim himself was also asked about Dalot’s fitness levels and whether he feels the player will be able to make it to Bilbao, and the head coach seemed a little less optimistic.
“Dalot is trying really bad,” Amorim further commented. “I don’t want to risk Dalot because when you start getting one injury, a second injury, it is a big thing.
“We cannot have these kinds of problems in our squad. We will see. He is working really hard to get in the final.”
Amorim also admitted that he does not know if either of Leny Yoro or Matthijs de Ligt will be fit in time to play against Tottenham, with both centre-backs nursing foot injuries sustained earlier this month.
“I don’t know if they are going to be available,” Amorim explained to the press. “We are going to try and push because it is the final matches and there is a final.
“All the players want to play in that really bad. I don’t think they will go to Chelsea, but we will have a possibility to have some of them in the final.”
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