Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot has boldly predicted that the Old Trafford side will soon have success again despite their poor league form this season.
Last season’s players’ player of the year has been an ever-present in the team, playing 34 times already this season.
He has had to fill in numerous times at left wing-back despite his preference for a spot on the right but with Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu on the cusp of joining, it seems that he will soon receive more consistent minutes at right wing-back.
Speaking to Owen Hargreaves for the Premier League’s Masterclass series, Dalot spoke of his hope that current coach Ruben Amorim will be successful for many years at United.
“Obviously, there’s been a change in manager and I hope this manager stays for 10 years and we can build a new Man United history with trophies and wins,” he said.
The 25 year old was also bullish about United’s future claiming, “I can guarantee you. If it’s now or in the future, I can guarantee this club will win again. I am 100 per cent sure of it. It’s too big not to.”
The Portugal international has been linked with moves away, most eye-catchingly to Real Madrid, but he expressed how happy he was at the club by stating, “I don’t think there is a better place to be when you are winning and when you are actually competing. I don’t think there is anywhere else you could desire to be.”
On joining the club in 2018 he said it was an “easy decision” and that as soon as you get the call from United “it is different”.
He did open up on the unique pressures of playing for a club like United and that you need to find a balance. He admitted it took him a long time and it wasn’t until four years into his stay at Old Trafford that he was able to play at his true level for the team.
“I don’t think you can teach somebody to be ready for that. As soon as you arrive at this club, it’s a shock in every aspect, for the positive and the negative. For you to find that balance of being able to cope with the pressure, with the highs and lows, it takes some time.”
Finally the Portuguese hailed the influence of his former club teammate and compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo on his career.
“I have said this a couple of times, as soon as I met him (Ronaldo) my life in football changed completely. Because I saw something.”
“I already considered myself, before I met him, a good professional. But he pushed me to another level.”
Dalot has already spoken of his need to be more of a leader in the dressing room as he closes in on his 200th appearance for the club.
Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
