Diogo Dalot owes key trait to Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd star has become ‘obsessed’

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Diogo Dalot owes his latest obsession to former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United named a 23-man squad for their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon on Thursday.

The headlines ahead of the match focused Kobbie Mainoo as the midfielder was spotted by the cameras after returning to group training last week.

Ruben Amorim isn’t rushing Mainoo back to action, as he left him out of the squad for United’s scoreless draw with Manchester City. However, the England international arrived in France this evening and is likely to make his eagerly awaited return against Lyon.

It’s the type of boost United need ahead of a potentially busy end to a turbulent season, with Luke Shaw also ready to return after making the bench for the Manchester derby.

Amorim will be hoping to avoid any further injury setbacks as United aim to go all the way in the Europa League, though there are a few players he needs to worry less about…

Diogo Dalot owes his fitness and availability to Cristiano Ronaldo

Diogo Dalot’s inclusion in the travelling squad won’t be a surprise to any United fan since the Portugal international has made 47 appearances this season.

The 26-year-old isn’t the only Portuguese player in United’s first-team who is renowned for his availability, with Bruno Fernandes making 46 appearances thus far this season.

Although it is common belief that Dalot is not best suited to the wing-back role in United’s newly adopted 3-4-2-1 formation, the right-back has kept his place in the team under Amorim after becoming one of his most trusted lieutenants.

When asked about his fitness and availability record ahead of United’s first leg against Lyon, Dalot admitted it has become an obsession, which he owes to Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I would say [I] have started to become a little bit more obsessed about being available,” Dalot told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

“The first step to being able to play is being available. I switched my mind a bit about being available physically.

“I became a little bit more obsessed and having Cristiano [Ronaldo] as a teammate helped me. But overall, I always try to help my teammates. But every person is an individual. But I try do all I can.”

Since the start of last season, Dalot and Fernandes have each started 65 of a possible 69 Premier League games for United.

Diogo Dalot stats in the Europa League

We already know that Dalot is one of the fittest players in United’s first team, which may help explain why he is in Amorim’s good books.

Dalot’s end product tends to let him down with the right-back recording just four assists across all competitions this season.

Two of those goals came in the Europa League against FCSB and Real Sociedad.

With Lyon standing in United’s way of a place in the semi-final, Dalot will hope to add to his tally in Europe’s second-rate competition.