Why Ruben cannot call end to Dalot's season

Ruben revealed on Friday that Diogo had picked up a calf injury that would rule him out of United's next few games.

With only a month of the campaign to go, there is surely some doubt about whether our reigning Players' Player of the Year will be involved again before the summer.

But Dalot - who has missed just one outing in 2024/25, due to suspension - prides himself on his consistency, something Amorim touched upon in our pre-match interview, which you can watch and read below...

Ruben, you’ve had the rare benefit of having a week between the games. Has that allowed the squad to recover not only physically but emotionally from last week?
“Yeah, it was important. Not just that, but to improve as a team – more time to work on the pitch, more time to see videos and analyse not just the last game but the other ones that we didn’t have the time [to look at properly]. To prepare this game, to prepare the next one: that is massive for us, so we are focused on the game on Sunday.”

Yeah, it’s Bournemouth away next, so how’s the squad looking for that one?
“Fine. We had a issue with Dalot, but the rest are recovered and we need to face this game at the top level because they are a very good team. They are fighting for European football and we need to improve in the Premier League. I think we deserved more in the last game. We need to improve the way we score goals. I think we are defending better, so we have a lot to play [for] in this moment.”

It’s obviously a blow to lose Diogo but how much is he working hard to try to get back?
“You know Diogo, he did all the games and then he had that issue. You can’t say that Diogo is out until the end of the season because Diogo will work hard, to help us in the last games.”

You’ll obviously have one eye on the Athletic Club first leg next week, but how much does that game come into your thinking when it comes to choosing the team?
“A little bit, to be honest, but I think that this game we need to be focused on just this game. We had this week to clean. I think the next one in the Premier League [Brentford] it is important for us to be careful. I think during the game we are going to see if there is any player that is tired or with something and try to manage that.”

We know how good Bournemouth can be, from the first game this season. What did you learn about them that day and have your thoughts on them changed since?
“The same as any other team in the Premier League. We are understanding better the way that football is played in this country. They have really good players in the offence, they play quite well and they are a team with a lot of pressure in the build-up of the opponent, so we expect that, especially in their home. But we are ready for that.”

Just finally, Europe is obviously a big focus for us now, but how important are these league games for us in terms of gaining that confidence and form?
“In this club, everything is important, as it should be. So we need to be focusing one game at a time and we need to win the game, not just because of the Europa League, but because we are Manchester United and we need to win more points.”