Dalot remains positive despite late setback

Saturday 23 July 2022 14:05

Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot believes that despite the Reds drawing against Aston Villa in Perth, our pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia has been successful.

Erik ten Hag's side were denied a fourth consecutive pre-season win when Villa's Calum Chambers headed home in the dying stages, as the Reds concluded a three-match stay Down Under.

Jadon Sancho's volley and a Matty Cash own-goal had given United a 2-0 lead at half-time, but substitutes Leon Bailey and Chambers scored in the second half to earn Steven Gerrard's side a draw.

Reacting to the game at a rain-soaked Optus Stadium, Dalot said: "[It was] difficult. I mean I think you all can see, difficult conditions, the pitch was not very good to play football."

Dalot: The conditions were difficult Video

Dalot: The conditions were difficult

Diogo reacts to our draw against Aston Villa as the Reds are denied a fourth win at the death...

Despite the torrential downpour - which almost saw the match called off before kick-off - Dalot believes that the Reds' first-half performance was impressive.

"I think we [played] a good first half," he said. "We scored two beautiful goals, the way we want to play.

"The second half a little bit difficult. I think we could [have] come into the second half a bit more lively. We concede some counter-attacks that we shouldn’t, and obviously the pitch was getting more and more difficult, so the game was a little bit more ugly.

"But, in the end, we should be happy for what we did on this tour.”

The right-back gave his thoughts on Tour 2022 so far, and is looking forward to the Reds' two remaining pre-season fixtures, with both live on the United App.

He said: “It think it was positive. In the end, it’s a step forward. I think everyone did a great job, not just players, but all the staff, all the media, everything. Everything that’s onto this tour, I think we did a good job together.

"Now we go back to Manchester, and we prepare, two more games, for the beginning of the season.” 

United's trip to Thailand and Australia was the first opportunity for some Reds see our global fanbase. Despite Dalot having been on two pre-season tours prior to this one, he revealed that he is always taken aback by the club's international reach.

“I mean they’ve been unbelievable," Dalot said of the fans. "I have been lucky enough to be on two tours. This is my third one and, every time, they surprise me with the love and the support they get worldwide.

"No matter what country we are going, they are always there, so we are very happy with them."

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