Diogo Dalot says he stopped enjoying football under Solskjaer

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Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot has established himself as a key player this season, an ever-present starter.

The Portugal international scored his first goal of the season in midweek in the Europa League victory over Sheriff Tiraspol.

It has been quite a journey for him, signing for United in 2018, sent on loan to AC Milan in 2020, and now finally first choice for the club.

Dalot has admitted that under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he did not enjoy his football, continually overlooked, with the Norwegian at one point promoting Timothy Fosu-Mensah ahead of him.

He had to leave on loan to start getting game time, and in an interview with The Times, he says this helped him rediscover his love for the game.

Dalot stopped enjoying his football

Dalot has explained how the AC Milan spell in 2020/21 allowed him to correct course and get back on track, mentally as well as on the pitch.

He said: “The loan was a turning point for me, in terms of being fit again and being able to play a lot of games in a row, and being able to enjoy my game again — which I [had] lost when I was here.

“Most of all, it let [me] prove I am a good player.”

The problem which faced Dalot was that after his loan, he returned to United and Solskjaer was still reluctant to pick him. The manager’s sacking opened the door for a clean slate, and he began to rebuild his career under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Now he is loving it under Ten Hag

Now with a further sense of direction under new permanent boss Erik ten Hag, Diogo Dalot is enjoying his best stint as a Manchester United player so far.

The 23-year-old says he particularly enjoys Ten Hag’s expansive style of play which is allowing him to get further forward and add more to the team.

Dalot said: “Full backs are able to play different positions, playing a little bit more on the midfield, doing almost like double sixes, and playing as No 8s, No 10s. I like it because it makes me try to be complete.

“And I really like this manager. He asks me to do different things, different types of roles in different games and I just try to adapt as much as I can.”

Ten Hag clearly appreciates the qualities Dalot brings to the team, and while it’s very possible another right-back will be targeted in future windows to add depth, the team’s number one choice won’t give up his spot without a fight.