On the right or left, Dalot is here to help the team

The Portugal international has been riding high all week after scoring a superb opening goal in the Emirates FA Cup third-round win over Wigan Athletic on Monday night. It was his second strike of the campaign so far and his fifth as a Red to date; all of them have been excellent finishes.

MUTV presenter Niall McCaughan sat down with Diogo at Carrington to watch his standout clips from this season and that goal was a natural starting point, but was it rehearsed? “I have been practising a lot in these types of areas, doing some finishing after training and it is always outside of the box,” explains the defender. “Hopefully I can score many more like that. 

“I think the most important thing is knowing what you are going to do straightaway... when I receive the ball, I already know that I want to shoot. With two touches you can score a goal.”

Dalot started the game against Wigan at left-back and the 24-year-old’s versatility has proven to be invaluable during a season when Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been injured for long periods. He’s made 27 appearances across all competitions and Andre Onana is the only United player with more (29).

“It is part of my job to try to be available for every game,” he says, reflecting on his dependability this season.

“I dedicate myself a lot to that, just so I can be ready for the manager to pick me… I just try to be ready and available all of the time.”

Versatility is a big theme of our interview and it is something that Diogo has depended on throughout his flourishing career, at his first club FC Porto, United and on loan at AC Milan. 

“I remember when I first got into the first team in Porto, I only played left-back and that was the first time I played professionally on the left,” he recalls. “It was a little bit of a challenge, but when I came here it happened and more times when I went to Milan... it's happened quite naturally.

“The aim for me will always be helping the team, no matter where I am or which position on the pitch. Obviously, when you feel more comfortable in one position than the other, the level will always be different, but I always try to be as good on the left as I am on the right.”

While playing at right and left-back, our passionate Portuguese has also been coming inside to receive possession and drive the ball up the pitch. It’s a part of his game that has been developing since Ten Hag took chart and he is enjoying the challenges involved.  

“That is something I have been doing for the last year, since Erik arrived,” he explains.

“He likes, sometimes, for the full-backs to play from the inside and it has been quite good for me to try to new things, to play in different positions and I think I have that ability to do it.”

As the video clips conclude, Diogo looks forward to the second half of a season that has included challenges so far, but could still end on a positive note.

“Hopefully we can end the season and see that I have more goals, more tackles, more clips like this and hopefully a trophy at the end of it.”