Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed why Michael Carrick wants to keep Diogo Dalot at Man Utd in the January transfer window.

The Red Devils played out a dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday as Man Utd dropped into the Premier League relegation zone ahead of the international break.

Carrick has been under lots of pressure to get things right at Old Trafford amid a nine-match winless run, which came to an end in midweek when Man Utd beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League.

Man Utd once again showed their defensive vulnerabilities on Sunday with Dalot putting a particularly bad performance and was substituted on 66 minutes for Patrick Dorgu.

Dalot conceded a penalty when he challenged Alysson in the box, leading to John McGinn scoring a penalty to make it 3-2, and the Portugal international was booed by the Old Trafford faithful as he came off the pitch.

Reacting to the boos for Dalot, Man Utd boss Carrick said after the match: “We’ve got to be careful with that, I think.

“I understand the frustration and the disappointment of the supporters. I get it, we’re all frustrated, we’re all disappointed. The players are as much as anyone, I guarantee you that.

“Diogo gives absolutely everything. He’s played in different positions, he’s played really well at times.

“He gives the penalty away today, he knows that. Maybe he can do a little bit better, alright, that’s part of it, he’s made a mistake.

“He cares an awful lot and he’s giving everything. I like what he brings to the team, I like what he brings to the group, I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we’ve got.

“Picking a team and who plays the next game that’s a whole different decision and that’s a whole different game that we’ve got to look forward to now.”

Why is Carrick publicly backing Man Utd defender Dalot?

And Romano insists Carrick is a fan of Dalot as he maintains a high level of professionalism and is unlikely to move him on if the Man Utd head coach is still there in January.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “I want to close on Manchester United also on one single player. I think that’s a personal opinion, but also to tell you was situation.

“Diogo Dalot is getting booed by all the Manchester United, not all but so many Manchester United fans at Old Trafford. It’s a difficult moment. Obviously, the performances at some points maybe have not been the best for sure. Not the best moment for him, but a couple of things.

“Why Michael Carrick after the game goes to the press and says, ‘Be very careful when you attack Diogo Dalot.’ Why this is happening? Why Carrick is backing the Diogo Dalot in public in that way despite so many fans booing him at Old Trafford?

“Because Diogo Dalot is a role model and in these years at Manchester United, not only this season, in general, over these years, difficult years at United, not so many players have been so serious. Not so many players have been so professional.

“Not so many players have been so good in terms of behaviour. Always help your teammate. Help the coach. Try to do your best for the team. Never say no if you have to play in a difficult position not in your position.

“Dalot is not a left back, but if he has to help, even if that can expose him, Dalot is saying yes. Then maybe he’s not the best left back for sure in the Premier League but Dalot is always willing to help.

And so for Michael Carrick, and for Manchester United in general, and you can ask all the other managers before Carrick as well, that is a guarantee that every day you will have the best from him and the best in every single training session.

“Then obviously to play with so many fans against you is not easy. The situation at Man United is already complicated then to be in this kind of situation is not easy. This is why Carrick is backing Dalot. This is why Carrick wants Dalot to continue at Man United.

“If Carrick will survive and will arrive to the January transfer window, for Carrick to keep Dalot is important, because Dalot can improve his performances for sure. Now is a negative moment, not only for Dalot, for so many players but for Michael Carrick to keep a player like Dalot is important because he’s considered a crucial figure in the dressing room.”