MANCHESTER, England — Diogo Dalot moved a step closer to making his Manchester United debut with a run out in the under-23s’ 1-0 win over Stoke at Old Trafford on Friday.
The 19-year-old, signed for £19 million from Porto in the summer, played 78 minutes at right-back in front of Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff, who were watching from the stands in a crowd of 806.
It was Dalot’s first appearance in a United shirt after recovering from a knee injury suffered playing for Porto in March.
The trip to Burnley on Sunday will come too soon for the teenager, who only has eight senior appearances to his name after making his first-team debut in February, but he is in line to make his full debut after the international break.
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero was also in the team against Stoke after recovering from the knee problem which ruled him out of the World Cup.
Angel Gomes, on his 18th birthday, scored the only goal in the first half after a smart finish from the left side of the penalty area following a neat one-two with Nishan Burkart.
Dalot was never really tested defensively but was positive going forward, whipping one dangerous cross into the box in the build-up to Gomes’ goal.
Romero made a good save from Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell in the second half as United moved up to second in Premier League Two Division Two.
After relegation from Division One last term, Ricky Sbragia’s side remain unbeaten this season, winning two and drawing two of their opening four games.
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