Dalot: We have to be more consistent
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has given his thoughts following the Reds' 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United at St James' Park in the Premier League.
Second-half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson handed the hosts all three points on Tyneside, with the Magpies leapfrogging Erik ten Hag's side into third place in the process.
Despite chances for both Dalot and Antony in the opening 45 minutes of the contest, United were second best for most of the afternoon, with our no.20 expressing his frustration following the full-time whistle.
Dalot: We have to control games
Diogo Dalot outlines the areas he feels the Reds can improve, following the defeat against Newcastle...
“Disappointment is the [right] word,” he began, speaking to MUTV post-match. “We wanted to come here and do what we planned. I think we tried - we tried to find spaces.
“We knew that they wanted to press high. Even after that we tried to play, we tried to find spaces. I think we could have been a little bit more patient, especially in the last third. In the final third we could have been a little bit more patient with the ball and find better spaces, and try to create more chances.
“I think that was it overall and we have to show desire. We have to beat them in desire, we have to beat them in every challenge that we have, every duel. And I think they wanted it a little bit more than us today and that cannot happen.”
The 24-year-old was keen to admit how both he and his team-mates must show more grit in order to grind out results in tough circumstances.
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ArticleErik ten Hag's men fall to a disappointing defeat on Tyneside.
“Yeah, I think so and if you want to fight for more, if you want to be there competing for the Premier League we have to be more consistent,” added Diogo.
“We have to come here and dominate the game, control the game and create more chances than the opponent.
“We know they are going to be intense, we know they are going to press high but we have to beat that. We have to be more consistent.”
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With another eight games to come across a busy April for Ten Hag's side, ensuring a positive reaction is top of Dalot's priority list too, with the race for a Champions League place now hotting up once again.
“Yeah we knew that it was going to be a battle but we have to focus on ourselves,'' added the defender.
“We know it's all about us. If we control games, if we play like we have the ability to play I think we can win every game. This is our aim.
“I think this is the consistency that we have to show on the pitch every single game and on Wednesday we have to show a reaction.”