Manchester United star Diogo Dalot has hailed the elite mentality of one teammate after his side’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag’s men kept their top-four Premier League ambitions alive with an important win over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side at Villa Park.
In-from Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has now scored in five consecutive matches for Manchester United, opened the scoring in the first half against Villa.
Villa star Douglas Luiz cancelled out Hojlund’s opener in the second half, only for Scott McTominay to produce heroics off the bench for United.
McTominay, who replaced Marcus Rashford, was picked out by a superb Diogo Dalot cross and the 27-year-old United midfielder connected with a brilliant bullet header.
Emi Martinez was unable to prevent McTominay’s close-range powerful header, with the United star ensuring Ten Hag’s side walked away with all three points.
United are sixth in the Premier League table after Sunday’s win and are five points behind fifth-place Villa and six points adrift from fourth-place Tottenham.
Dalot, who impressed with his performance against Villa, has now spotlighted one of his teammates with praise after the Premier League contest at Villa Park.
Dalot praises Man Utd teammate’s mentality
Speaking after the 2-1 win against Aston Villa, Diogo Dalot spoke highly of Manchester United teammate Scott McTominay after his impact from the bench.
McTominay has been in exceptional goalscoring form this season, with the United midfielder scoring seven times in 21 Premier League appearances.
However, the Scotland international has not always been a regular starter under Erik ten Hag this season and has had to fight for his place in the starting XI.
Despite not always starting for United, McTominay has made the most of his opportunities when he has come off the bench for the Red Devils.
Dalot insisted that the Scotland midfielder is the “perfect person” to show the impact that can be made as a sub and raved about his teammate’s elite mentality.
“I think every time he comes on the pitch, he has that mentality of trying to score goals and trying to help the team,” he said, as per The Daily Mail.
“We need this type of mentality at this club, and I think he is the perfect person to show this season that even coming from the bench, he always has a good impact.”
Ten Hag calls McTominay an ‘example’
Ten Hag, much like Dalot, was in praise of McTominay’s impact from the bench and is a big admirer of what the United midfielder brings to his first-team squad.
“There are not many players who can come from the bench and bring this energy and contribute to the team,” he said.
“Scott is an example for many other players, always giving the spirit and always doing the right things.
“He is ready for one minute or for minute 90, he is always ready. It is great to have such a player.”
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