Dalot: Fans aware of the demands

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Tuesday 05 March 2024 11:11

Diogo Dalot continues to impress at Manchester United and is coping extremely well with the demands of being a modern full-back.

The Portugal international has been one of our most consistent players this term and was among the top performers in a red shirt during Sunday’s Manchester derby defeat to City.

After being nominated for February’s Player of the Month award, won by Rasmus Hojlund, the 24-year-old is continuing to catch the eye with his resolute defending and bold forays forward.

The requirement to get up and down the pitch means it is a key position and Dalot feels those in the game are more aware of this now, and the requirement for elite-level stamina.

Watch five Diogo Dalot goals for the Reds.

“I think, nowadays, people are a little bit more aware and educated about it now,” he explained to club media recently. “Which are the positions that require a little bit more of a physical output.

“Obviously, if you’re a midfielder and a full-back, you will run a little bit more than probably a winger or centre-back. But that’s just part of the game nowadays.

“We need to adapt constantly and we just need to [do it], especially in a league like the Premier League, which is high intensity, high tempo and everything is the highest speed and on the hardest level. So you need to be ready.”

Dalot is fully aware of the requirements of Erik ten Hag to implement his system, and will be hoping the Reds get back on track this weekend, when Everton come to Old Trafford.

When discussing the way he has to get up and down the flank, he said: “It’s part of my game, obviously, and our game. I just like to say this: it’s our game. Not just me but every full-back that plays in the team. They need to be ready to help the team going forward and to defend. So these are the demands and standards for the club.

“Especially for a full-back, if you want to help on the attack, and at the same, it’s trying to be a good defender. You need to have energy. You need to do the right thing so you can be available and we have plenty of people that help me to be in the best condition I can so I can play like that.”

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There has been a lot of talk around inverted full-backs and Diogo often does this, shifting into a more central position to help United build from the back. This is something he has discussed in a separate video, which can be viewed above.

It is a change he has been embraced and has allowed him to show how comfortable he is in possession.

“So I just think it’s something that is becoming a little bit, like you say, part of my game,” he added. “But part of our team’s game.

“When I say my game, it’s obvious the demands for me are the same as if it was another player playing in my position.

“There is always something to improve. So I’m constantly now trying to see where the best position is that I can be, especially when I go to the midfield. But it’s something that I like to do as well and the manager likes me to do it, so I’m happy with it.”

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Tuesday 05 March 2024 11:11