Diogo Dalot withdraws from Portugal squad for November internationals
- Diogo Dalot will not join up with Portugal squad for final Euro 2024 qualifiers
- Man Utd reveal reason behind his absence
- Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund have also withdrawn from international duty
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has withdrawn from Portugal's squad for the upcoming international window.
The Selecao have already secured their place at next summer's European Championships after winning all eight of their qualifying games so far and will round off Group J with matches away at Liechtenstein and at home to Iceland this week.
Roberto Martinez has managed to reinvent Portugal as a formidable attacking outfit - they have scored a continent-high 32 goals in Euro 2024 qualifying, 12 more than the next most potent side - but they will have to get through their final two fixtures without the services of Dalot.
United have confirmed that Dalot has been ruled out of the November internationals due to "personal reasons". He has been replaced in Portugal's squad by Porto right-back Joao Mario. The Red Devils' only representative in Martinez's setup now is club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Dalot's form at club level heading into the international window dipped, notably losing his runners during United's 3-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and 4-3 loss to Copenhagen in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old has started each of United's last ten Premier League games, at times filling in at left-back due to the first-team's injury crisis presenting Erik ten Hag with a lack of options.
Despite their poor start to the season, Dalot and his United teammates kept clean sheets in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this term prior to the international break, securing 1-0 wins away at Fulham and at home to Luton Town.
United revealed on Monday that Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund have also withdrawn from international duty. The duo will not join up with Denmark for their crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers with Slovenia and Northern Ireland due to injury concerns
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