‘No secret it’s been difficult’ – Diogo Dalot hoping to become Man Utd regular under Ralf Rangnick after tough start
DIOGO DALOT is determined to make the most of his chance to finally kick-start his Manchester United career.
The Portuguese defender has only started 27 games in all competitions since he arrived at Old Trafford three and a half years ago.
When he was sent out on loan to Milan in October last year it looked as though his Red Devils career could be coming to an end.
But he has started the last two matches – taking his opportunity after an injury to Aaron Wan Bissaka – and impressed during back-to-back victories.
Dalot, 22, admits it was frustrating seeing his first-team games limited but did everything to make sure he was ready when his moment came.
He said: “I mean, there’s no secret that it’s difficult when you don’t play as much as you want.
“But it’s our job to get ready and I’ve been doing that for a couple months now, especially this season, and be ready when my time comes to give everything on the pitch.
“Help the team, that’s most important thing, and I’m very happy to give this momentum as well and be out there with the team.”
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“It’s my job to be out there and then help the team and give my best.
“I need to show my best qualities as well. I have fantastic players that can help me inside the pitch and today was one more opportunity for me to give that.”
Dalot has been much more involved this season, with nine appearances already.
Against Crystal Palace on Sunday he was one of five United players in the starting line-up who have Portuguese as their first language.
As well as him and his countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, there was also Brazilian duo Fred and Alex Telles.
He added: “Yeah, to be honest, it does help because we’re very spread on the pitch so we can communicate with each other and pass important messages through the team.
“But obviously the other people, the other guys talk a lot as well.
”We communicate well with each other, so we want to keep that as well everybody together but obviously it does help with the communication.”
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