Dalot reflects on special captaincy moment

Monday 22 December 2025 15:31Diogo Dalot is proud to have captained Manchester United for the first time, during Sunday’s Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.Dalot wore the armband throughout the second half at Villa Park, as Bruno Fernandes failed to re-emerge after being injured prior to the break. As a member of Ruben Amorim’s leadership group, Dalot has become an increasingly senior figure in the Reds’ youthful dressing room. He spoke with maturity and confidence following our narrow defeat to Unai Emery’s high-flying Villans and was back at Carrington early on Monday to fulfil more media duties.Dalot: Fine margins decided the game VideoDalot: Fine margins decided the game INTERVIEW | Diogo Dalot discusses the Reds’ performance, deputising as captain, and our two debutants…“Yeah, it’s obviously a very proud moment,” Dalot told us. “I look back to the first day that I arrived here and it was not even in my mind to one day wear the armband of this club.” Dalot was signed as a teenager from FC Porto in 2018 and took a few years to establish himself in the side, even joining Milan for a season-long loan in 2020/21. But he has missed just nine league outings across the past three campaigns and can now count upon over 200 games’ worth of experience at the highest level.“Obviously I wanted to build my career here and be a very important player for the team,” he added. “I think me being able to go through every phase that a football player can be at a club makes it even more special. “But at the same time, I know that we have very good players that can represent the standards of the club and I’m just happy to be one of them.”It remains to be seen who will lead the team out when Newcastle United come to Old Trafford on Boxing Day, if Fernandes is absent. Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro have skippered the side previously, in the absence of Bruno, while Harry Maguire would also be a potential candidate when he regains fitness.Recommended:Monday 22 December 2025 15:31Back to Top