Dalot, who can also play as a left-back, has become an important part of the squad this season and has remained fit for most of the campaign.
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There is not a player who has improved as much as Diogo Dalot over the last couple of years at Manchester United. The Portuguese full-back, who primarily operates at right-back, has gone from being a squad player to one of the first names on the team sheet. Dalot, who can also play as a left-back, has become an important part of the squad this season and has remained fit for most of the campaign.
Even though injuries have prevented Erik ten Hag from fielding a steady back four, Diogo Dalot has remained a constant in the Starting XI for Manchester United. With the left-backs constantly being injured this season, the 25-year-old has also stepped into that role whenever needed. What makes Dalot special is his ability to play as both overlapping and inverting full-back. It is not easy to step into midfield to receive passes under pressure during the build-up phase. However, it is something where Dalot has excelled this season.
“It’s something that’s really helped me to improve, especially my awareness, because when you’re playing in midfield you have to constantly scan the game all the time. You have to always try to be in the best body shape to receive the ball, and don’t lose it because you’re in the key areas if you lose the ball. That definitely brought me something good for my game, and I really enjoyed putting this into my game,” Dalot told the club’s website.
The Portuguese star conceded that this season did not turn out the way he had hoped, however, on the personal front, he liked the progress he made this campaign. “Obviously it doesn’t taste the same when collectively you don’t get the results that we wanted since day one. But individually, I think I’ve made a pretty good season so far. I’ve made a step forward, relating to previous seasons, which makes me happy, makes me feel that the work that I’ve been putting in is paying off,” he explained.
Dalot explained how he wanted to be available for selection regularly and also maintain consistency this campaign. “It was an objective for me, and a goal, to make especially the fans know and the staff and my team-mates know that I can be available and ready to play every single game. I tried to work every single day to try and be available for every single game. So far it’s been really good and I hope it continues for many, many years,” he said.
The full-back added: “Individually, I think I’ve been showing this season that I was much more consistent than I was in previous ones. So that was my main focus for this year: to try to be more consistent every game. To keep my individual performances at the same, certain level all the time. Obviously it is difficult to be always playing well and very well, but I think I’ve been pretty consistent, which makes me happy.”
