Portugal duo Diogo Dalot and Joao Neves applaud after a game at Euro 2024.
Joao Neves (right) was preferred at right-back over Diogo Dalot for Portugal.
(Image: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images.)
Portugal and Spain will each be going in search of a second UEFA Nations League crown when they meet in Sunday night's final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Portugal progressed to their second Nations League final with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Germany on Wednesday night before Spain booked their place in a third successive Nations League final with a thrilling 5-4 victory over France 24 hours later.
It means Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot will be hungry to pull the curtain down on the 2024/25 campaign with a piece of silverware.
Fernandes, who recently turned down a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in favour of staying at United, played the full 90 minutes of the victory over Germany, whereas Dalot was an unused substitute.
Fernandes featured in both games of United's post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong while Dalot only featured in the 1-0 defeat to the ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur before travelling to India alongside teammates Andre Onana and Harry Maguire for a commercial event.
Having gone a couple of days longer without a playing in comparison to Fernandes, Dalot must have been surprised when he was left out of the starting XI for Portugal's semi-final victory over Germany. Fellow right-back Nelson Semedo must have also been surprised when he was not called upon to replace his teammate in the right-back berth.
Instead, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez deployed Paris Saint-Germain midfielder and former United transfer target Joao Neves at right-back. Usually, the talented 20-year-old is found at the heart of either Paris Saint-Germain's or Portugal's midfield.
However, there was, according to data specialists Transfermarkt, three occasions this season where he was asked to play at right-back by PSG boss Luis Enrique. However, this was the first time he had been tasked with starting as a full-back for his country.
"It's all good," Neves said of the decision. "I'm a player who adapts well to different conditions.
Joao Neves in action for Portugal against Germany.
Joao Neves operated at right-back.(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images.)
"My position depends on the coach. I think he places me there for tactical reasons, and I just have to do my best, as in any other role."
For Dalot, it must have felt like a real kick in the teeth, not least because he started both legs of Portugal's Nations League quarter-final triumph over Denmark in March to help them advance to the last four.
From a United viewpoint, Martinez's decision to overlook Dalot in favour of asking a midfielder to play at right-back will have potentially left them asking questions. United are set to go through a transitional period this summer and the addition of a right wing-back has not been ruled out at this stage.
The right wing-back role at Old Trafford was regularly shared between Noussair Mazraoui, Dalot and Amad this season, meaning it remains to be seen who could be Ruben Amorim's right wing-back-in-chief next term. However, United's plan to sign Bryan Mbeumo could quite possibly see Amad installed as Amorim's first-choice right wing-back.
At this stage, though, the addition of a specialist right wing-back cannot be ruled out. Achieving that particular transfer objective, however, will depend on outgoings.
Nevertheless, United are bound to ask questions of why Dalot was left out at the expense of a talented midfielder that cost £50million last summer.