Dalot ready for a fight to win his place in first team
DIOGO Dalot wants to play in his preferred right-back slot when he returns to the United first team.
The Portuguese right-back hasn’t featured since coming off injured during the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on October 6, though he made his return to match action for the club’s Under-19s versus AC Milan last Friday night.
Dalot, speaking exclusively to M.E.N. Sport after the 3-0 win for United’s youngsters, admitted he has a huge battle on his hands to wrestle the right-back slot off the in-form Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while reflecting on a tough time with injury this season.
Hip and groin problems have restricted the 20-year-old - signed by Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2018 - to just three appearances this term.
But he’s now raring to go and says he’d rather play at right-back than become a utility player for United.
“It’s always good, competition is good,” said Dalot.
“Especially on my side Aaron is playing good and that pushes me even harder and I’m going to push him as well - that’s the competition that we want at Man United. No one is comfortable and we need to keep pushing hard to help each other.
“I feel that my position is the right-back side and as long as I keep pushing hard in that position, I’ll be able to play.
“I’ll play in other positions if the manager wants, I’m always open for that. But I want to make a statement and I want to help the team in my best position. If I have to play in other parts of the pitch, I’ll do it for sure.”
Dalot admitted it had been frustrating sitting on the sidelines and watching new signing Wan-Bissaka nail down a spot in United’s first team.
He welcomed the opportunity to play for the Under-19s and is now targeting a firstteam return over the festive period. “I needed that 70 minutes under the belt,” he said. “I want to thank the staff who allowed me to come here [for the Under-19s] and allow me to get my minutes and now I’m ready to get back to the first team.”
On being out injured for almost three months, he added: “It’s always frustrating but, like I said previously, it’s a learning time as well, we learn from this and grow as well. I’ve been working hard to get back.
“It’s good playing against these teams [like AC Milan].
“They play a specific style, a defensive Italian style and it’s a good experience for the boys and a good challenge for them. They can rest now and I can get the work for next week.”
Diogo Dalot