Dalot: Old Trafford music sets the tone

The unmistakable sound of The Stone Roses classic 'This Is The One' has become synonymous with United’s walkout, and for Dalot, it sparks something special every single time.

“It’s special,” Diogo told club media. “And every time we walk into the tunnel and we start hearing that music, there's a special moment. Also when we are in away games, that's when we are arriving to the dressing room. The masseurs and the kitmen, they try to put that music [on] as soon as we arrive. So in our heads, it reminds us a bit of home at Old Trafford, so it's a kind of gesture from them.”

That sense of unity extends into the stands, where John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ has quickly become a fan-favourite anthem.

Diogo has spoken about how its introduction, with the adapted lyrics ‘United Road’, last season came from within the squad - with captain Bruno Fernandes playing a key part - and its impact has been keenly felt.

“Since I arrived, obviously, I related a lot when we won the cups,” our no.2 explains. “We had those moments at Wembley where everybody was singing and then you could feel that we wanted a bit more of that. And as soon as we decided, I think Bruno did really well speaking with the club about putting that before games.

"I think it makes the atmosphere so much interesting and so much warming for us. I really appreciated that. And as soon as we started doing that, I think we took Old Trafford to another level, even though it was already amazing.”

For the Portuguese full-back, those moments just before kick-off are among the most powerful.

“I think it's one of the most special moments during our week, especially when we are at home,” said Diogo. “That type of feeling when you are there, those 30 seconds to a minute where you're hearing the crowd singing, you're preparing for a game. I just have straight away goosebumps thinking about it. And it's a very special moment.”

Let’s hope the soundtrack proves effective in setting us on the road to success in our final four home games of the campaign, as we look to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League for next season.

'HE HAS TO BE THE MAIN GUY'

Music runs deep in Diogo’s life beyond the pitch. Having grown up around it - even playing the piano in his younger years - he now channels that passion into his role as the dressing room DJ.

“I’m very open to listening to a lot of different styles of music,” he tells us. “For example, this season we've been a bit more into house music.

“I just think that because you're coming the closest you are from the summer, there's still that style of music that pops a lot during the summer. So you're kind of in that rhythm also. But now it changes a bit more during the season, different styles.

“But everybody has different tastes. So it's not like there is one particular music or one particular type of music that we always listen to. But obviously, the music that we put after a game, after a win or before is completely different.”

And if the current squad ever decided to swap their boots for instruments, Dalot already has his band picked out.

“I would choose Josh [Zirkzee] as the singer. He has to be the main guy. I think he has that aura of a singer [and] looks like a popstar, a superstar. I would put Manu [Ugarte] on the guitar, because he has the good vibes. He knows how to also to be funny in certain ways. And I think he could step up sometimes to the singer to be alongside him.

“I have to choose someone for the drums. Maybe someone with good rhythm. Probably Casemiro, because he's serious. He would take that job really well, and he has the rhythm of a Brazilian guy. And then we need, maybe back vocals could be a nice option. I would probably put Mason Mount. He looks sharp because sometimes back vocals are very good looking.”