After being turned into an auxiliary right back by Louis Van Gaal, Antonio Valencia has never looked back. He has been one of United’s standout performers in last two seasons, and has taken to his new role with ease. But in second half of the last season, he wasn’t upto his usual standards as heavy workload took a toll on him.

He’s 32 and isn’t getting any younger. Though his work rate is second to none, he can’t play week in and week out. Another option United have is that of Darmian, brought with much promise from Torino in 2015, but he hasn’t really delivered and was out of the first team picture for much of the last season. If rumours are to go by, he looks more than certain to make a summer move to Juventus.

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Everyone would have thought United will go for a proven and experienced right back to provide competition to Valencia, and eventually replace him. But not Mourinho.

He has pulled a surprise out of his hat and signed 19-year-old Portugal youth international Diogo Dalot. A young and versatile full back who can also fill in at left back, Dalot has just eight senior caps, all coming in the last season for Portuguese champions Porto. It came to light only last week that United were interested in the young defender, and ready to activate his £17 million release clause. But the clause wouldn’t come into play till June 30, and it was reported Manchester United would pay £2 million extra to get the deal done early, keeping in mind that other clubs were circling.

After that, he was all over social networking sites and fans were quick to ask, Diogo who?

Well, now that Manchester United have announced his signature, fans would have got the answer.

But, what remains to be seen is, can a 19-year-old with no more than eight senior appearances and no big match pedigree sustain the pressure of playing for a big club like United and perform consistently at the top level. It’s not new though. United have signed young and inexperienced full backs before. They did it with Rafael and Fabio. While Fabio didn’t live up to the expectations, his brother Rafael proved to be a good servant for the club.

Why did Mourinho go for the raw talent?

Mourinho is a coach who knows what he is doing. He likes players who are workhorses, and can run an extra mile for the team. If Dalot’s few appearances for Porto are to go by, Mourinho might have hit the bull’s eye with this one. The young fullback has pace, an eye for a cross, and can track back without losing a sweat. His versatility is what makes him an even more attractive a option to have. Naturally a right back, he was deployed at left back by Porto in the Champions League game against Liverpool and did a decent job.

He might not be the marquee signing United fans would have hoped for, but he sure will be key. In a market where £40 million buys you a decent player, spending £19 million for a young player with potential and best years ahead of him, is a very good business. A player who has earned rave reviews in Portugal, has got his dream move at a very young age. It’s his talent and great promise that has forced United’s hand into making him Old Trafford’s another young darling.

Manchester United think they have unearthed a jewel! But only time will tell.