LEEDS 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED: Diogo Dalot was brought off by Erik ten Hag during his team’s victory at Elland Road on Sunday – but his response to that should be applauded
Erik ten Hag wants to build a squad that’s capable of winning trophies for Manchester United.
The Dutchman has already signed the likes of Casemiro, Antony and Christian Eriksen to improve his side. Two transfer windows into his tenure, there are still some players he would like to see the back of. For sure, Diogo Dalot does not fall into that category.
The Portugal international, 23, has impressed for United since displacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the starting XI last season. Although Dalot’s contract expires in June 2024, Ten Hag will be confident of retaining his services after Sunday’s 2-0 win against Leeds.
Dalot had a tricky afternoon at Elland Road. Leeds’ exciting winger Wilfried Gnonto kept the defender on his toes throughout, and he was left frustrated when his long-range effort slammed into the crossbar. Dalot made way for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the 73rd minute.
At that point, it seemed as if Dalot’s afternoon was done. Yet there was a moment when Marcus Rashford’s header found the net that caught the eye. Dalot was the only United player on the bench to jump to his feet and celebrate next to a delighted Ten Hag.
Most visiting stars simply cheered from the bench, but Dalot rejoiced zealously at Rashford’s breakthrough. It was a moment that showed just how he really feels about United and suggested that his time in Ten Hag’s squad will carry on beyond this summer.
Diogo Dalot supported his team-mates from the bench ( Image: Getty Images)
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Dalot should be applauded for his attitude. When he made way for Wan-Bissaka, he sprinted off the pitch and shook hands with his replacement and Ten Hag. He did not huff and puff – he accepted the decision and supported his colleagues from the bench.
Dalot’s impressive attitude should come as no surprise after the comments Cristiano Ronaldo made during his ill-fated interview with Piers Morgan. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner infamously slammed United’s young stars, but praised Dalot for his professionalism.
“If you ask me what I see in Man Utd… Diogo Dalot is an example,” said Ronaldo. “He is young, but he is very, very professional. And I’m not doubting that he’s going to have longevity in football because he’s young, he’s smart, intelligent and is very professional.”
Ronaldo was scathing about the rest of United’s youngsters. He went on to say: “Their mentality, they are not the same. They have not suffered. “Their hunger. I think they have things more easily. They don’t suffer. They don’t care.”
In the coming months, Dalot must decide whether to remain a part of Ten Hag’s squad. Several top European clubs will be interested in signing the defender, and United may decide to cash in on him in the summer if he refuses to sign a new deal by then.
Although there remains a lot of uncertainty about Dalot’s future, his actions during United’s win on Sunday spoke volumes. Ten Hag will be hoping he signs on the dotted line.
Man Utd investing millions in major revamp after Cristiano Ronaldo complaints
Manchester United are ready to pour more money into improving their Carrington training base after Cristiano Ronaldo was publicly critical of the club’s facilities
Manchester United are ready to further improve the facilities at Carrington with a summer revamp.
The club’s training ground, which has copped criticism for being below standards in the modern game, will see a new wellness suite built, which will be location for players to perform yoga if they wish. Former United star Ryan Giggs has been vocal in how the activity helped prolong his own career.
It is the latest improvement seen at Carrington with investment made late summer in the swimming pool area. New ice baths, steam rooms and jacuzzis were installed as well as new tiling whilst in the briefing room a new tiered system was introduced as well as improved audio and visual equipment.
Cristiano Ronaldo went public with his criticism as he took aim at United’s training ground infrastructure. The forward returned to a second spell in 2020 having previously been in Manchester from 2003 – 2009 and was left shocked at the lack of change.
He told Piers Morgan: “The progress was zero. Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed. He [Ferguson] knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be. He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don’t see that… it’s because they don’t want to see. They are blind.”
United have plans to further redevelop their training base having appointed KSS as planners for the long-term plan and they have recruited Mads Mernagh as programme director for the project. Mernagh was heavily involved in Leicester City’s new state-of-the-art training ground, which is seen as the elite base in the Premier League following its opening two years ago.
The club’s Carrington training base has been largely neglected under the Glazers
The potential improvement plans include building an accommodation block that would allow players and staff to stay on-site, as well as creating more casual areas for players to relax. Any future investment may well rest on the club’s ownership with the Glazers looking for a major investor – or a complete sale – in the near future.
Gary Neville has long been critical of the Glazers and has previously lamented them for neglecting the club’s training base as well as Old Trafford.
He said: “In 20 years, Manchester United have not invested in the stadium, and they’ve not invested in the training ground that much. It’s a club that’s really struggling and I’ve said in the last couple of years that the only thing I think can change it now is the ownership. There is an embedded rot at the club.”
He added: “They’ve still not dealt with the football operation; they’ve still not dealt with the player and recruitment department; they’ve still not dealt with the stadium which is rusting and needs massive money spent on it. Manchester United need a billion pounds in this next two-three years to either rebuild or renovate that stadium.”
Source: mirror.co.uk
