Manchester United players were in for a rude surprise when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s interview with the media finally dropped earlier this week.
The co-owner did not mince his words regarding the squad, terming a few players as “not good enough” while claiming others were “overpaid”.
“Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time,” the 72-year-old had said.
Bruno Fernandes had responded to the British billionaire’s comments after the Real Sociedad game and now, Diogo Dalot has also done the same.
Dalot’s response
The defender explained that the players are ready to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the club, something that is ingrained in the club’s history.
The Portugal international added that the players are aware of the criticism that has followed following a disastrous league campaign but they are hell-bent of fixing things on the pitch.
“I think the history of this club is about sacrifice and fighting against the world,” Dalot was quoted as saying by The Mirror. It’s about sacrificing yourself, and each other, every moment on the pitch and being together with the fans to create the energy we all feel in Old Trafford.
“This is the history of the club. If you want to be successful you have to have that desire to try to do everything on the pitch. Whether you like it or not, the attitude has to be there. It is clear that when we are 14th or 15th in the league we are not doing what we should. If we want to put Manchester United back on top we need to do much better.
“Ultimately this club will only progress through what we do on the pitch, so we are all responsible for the future and the momentum. We know that we have that responsibility – but we want to take it. The pressure is high but we are Manchester United players for a reason.”
Plenty of other clubs have enjoyed a new manager bounce but the Red Devils have struggled since Amorim’s arrival. That is largely down to the fact that the new head coach employs a distinctly different style to his predecessors.
Adaptation issues
But the players should have grabbed his ideas a lot earlier but Dalot feels the players are slowly coming to grips with the boss’ demands and their most recent results are proof that things are finally falling in place.
“If you are a top footballer you need to be able to change things quickly. But obviously it does take time because we have been playing in the last few years in a different way. You can see this is a period of change, especially since INEOS have come in. The club wants to go in a direction. They want to rebuild Man United and put Man United back on top.
“I hope in the next couple of years we can go there. I think you are now seeing a much better team than a couple of months ago. When we talk about needing time, we aren’t saying that just to buy time. I think it is something that is going to happen. Obviously it is difficult when you play for a club like this because you must improve by always winning.
“The pressure is always high to win every game and when results don’t come, it’s difficult to show progress. But I think in the last couple of games you have seen something different. There have been different styles of play, but overall we are improving, I think. It’s something everyone can see, but results will ultimately show our position.”
Consistency is something that the 20-time English league champions have lacked this term but the Leicester City game provides the team the chance to continue their unbeaten run in the league. Hopefully, the team steps up at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
Feature image Alex Pantling via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
