United won the reverse fixture 3-1, but they still had to stay compact throughout the match to prevent the opponent coming back into the game.
Follow Us
Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot is anticipating a tough challenge against Burnley in the Premier League on Tuesday night. United won the reverse fixture 3-1, but they still had to stay compact throughout the match to prevent the opponent from coming back into the game. Looking ahead to the upcoming clash, the Portuguese right-back spoke about the importance of maintaining the concentration throughout the game. Dalot believes the hosts, who are looking for just a second Premier League win of the season, will pose a difficult challenge on Tuesday.
“We had a very good game, but we felt the physical part and the intensity they put into the game, especially with long balls and duels in the air,” Dalot said of the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, which United won 3-1. I am sure they will try and do the same [on Tuesday].”
Dalot, who plays on the right-side of a back four, spoke about the importance of focusing when coming up against a physical side like Burnley. “[We need] a little bit more concentration in some aspects of the game; being balanced when we don’t have the ball, so we are ready for counter attacks.
“But at the end of the day we have to do the same things that we do every single game and try and win the game.”
READ MORE: FA Cup – Middlesbrough knock Manchester United out on penalties
Since Ralf Rangnick became the club’s interim manager in November, Dalot has become a regular in the German’s starting XI. He has often been picked ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the right-back slot.
He added: “It has been very good for me to have more gametime and more back-to-back games. It brings me more confidence and more rhythm to give [everything] for the team.”
“For me it is very good to have competition like Aaron. This healthy competition is good for us to keep that hunger of every single day trying to earn that spot and be there to play. I am going to try and do that every day and it is good for everyone.”
David De Gea, January’s Premier League Player of the Month, missed Friday’s FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough. But he is set to be in the starting line-up for the match against Burnley. Speaking about the Spaniard, Dalot only had good words to describe him.
He explained: “He has always been a very important player for our team. For me he is one of the best goalkeepers that we have ever had in the game, and we are so happy to have him at this level, playing like this.”
The Burnley match on Tuesday will be United’s second of seven February fixtures. “It is an exciting few weeks ahead of us now,” he said. “We are ready for it, and it can be very good if we have a good run of games.
“It is a proper Premier League game. It is going to be a difficult game, we know that Burnley at home are always tough to play, but hopefully we can bring the three points home.”
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Talking points from the action-packed draw
