Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has hailed the instant connection he felt with manager Erik ten Hag.
This week Manchester United signed Diogo Dalot to a contract extension, ending any lingering uncertainty over his future, with his previous deal set to expire in 2024.
Dalot’s new contract runs to 2028 with an option to 2029. In an interview with club media, the right-back has talked up his connection with Erik ten Hag.
He says he instantly identified with Ten Hag and hopes to continue repaying his faith.
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Dalot hails Ten Hag connection
Diogo Dalot has played 39 games in all competitions for Manchester United this season, and even with rejuvenated competition from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he continues to play a key role.
The Portugal international says he instantly bonded with his manager and appreciates his obsession with winning.
Dalot explained: “Since he signed, since he came, I think the connection that we had was good straightaway.
“I said many times, I enjoy the way he thinks of football and what he demands from the players. I see myself a lot in that.
“That’s why I had the opportunity to play a lot of games this season, to show him and to show to the club that I can be a very important part of the club. That’s what I want to keep doing.”
Whether he starts this weekend’s FA Cup final or not, Dalot has a big part to play in the years to come.
He knows though, that he can’t afford to drop his standards. He added: “To stay at this club, you have to be consistent, you have to do your best every single day to be able to stay here and play games here.
“Otherwise, as we say in Portugal, you get swallowed by everything: by the pressure, by the media, even by your team-mates that are fighting for the same as you.”
Dalot is only 24 and has plenty more to give to United. He says he is stronger for the early challenges he faced, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not taking a liking to him and sending him out to AC Milan, and then largely overlooking him upon his return.
He insists he is a better player for the difficult moments, adding: “Even if I’ve had some bumps on the way, that’s what has made me now today strong mentally and physically to fight for this position and to be able to play a lot of games for this club.”
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