Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Diogo Dalot has benefited from his loan spell at Milan last season.
The Portuguese defender moved to San Siro on a temporary deal in October 2020.
He went on to play 33 games with the Serie A giants, scoring two goals.
He wasn’t a regular starter under Stefano Pioli but still played a crucial role in helping Milan reach a top-four finish, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in eight years.
Dalot has only played one game at Old Trafford since his return to the club, but the Red Devils’ coach Solskjaer will give him more playing time in the future.
“Diogo has had a very good summer with being called up to Euros, he did well for Portugal Under-21s and had a season on loan that learnt a lot from in Milan,” the former striker said at a press conference.
“He kept fit, which was a big thing. And he’s got qualities that we look at trying to exploit more and more, of course he’s got more experience.
“We’re not here just to loan out players for years and years. Last year’s loan was was to give him experience and game time and I think he did well when he came on the other night.”
Manchester United lost their opening Champions League game of the season against Young Boys on Tuesday.
They are in the same group as Atalanta, who they will meet on October 20 at Old Trafford and in Bergamo on November 2.
Milan also lost their opening Champions League of the season at Anfield Road against Liverpool.