Diogo Dalot absence against Brighton & Hove Albion explained

Manchester United cruised to victory against Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season, but they were without a couple of big names in their matchday squad.

Red Devils head coach Michael Carrick confirmed pre-match ahead of United’s last game of the season that departing Casemiro would be unavailable, but the Brazilian was the only pre-empted absentee.

“First of all on Casemiro, I was kind of decided that last week would be his last game,” Carrick revealed.

“So, I think that went as well as we all could have hoped, to be honest.”

But Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot’s non-inclusion in the squad was met with raised eyebrows before Michael Carrick told Sky Sports the reason why.

“He’s absolutely fine, just rotation and getting the younger players into the squad. He’s been fantastic and played a lot of games. He’ll be with Portugal next week, so there are no worries.”

It was a good gesture from Carrick, who went in with the hunger to win the game, but not complacency – and he clearly deemed it prudent to rest Dalot. It also gave United the chance to give cameos to young prospects.

Ahead of facing Brighton, Carrick said: “Academy players and younger players, giving them opportunities is a real responsibility that we feel towards the game as well.

“And getting the balance right at certain times going into games like this. It’s an opportunity, depending on how the game goes, to try and make the most of that because I think we’ve got some really good young players that we want to try to take the next step and give them the opportunity.

“So hopefully that pans out in a positive way for us.”

And it certainly did – Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher both played a combined hour, showcasing the ability of the next to hopefully make the step up to the first team.

Dalot’s lack of involvement did not trouble Manchester United and gave them the chance to hand important experience to young players. What an end to the season it was.