Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has credited manager Ruben Amorim with “creating a group that fights for each other” following a disastrous campaign last term.
United have looked strong so far in pre-season, and appear a much-improved outfit to the team that finished 15th in the Premier League and registered club’s lowest points total in half a century.
The Red Devils backed up a 2-1 victory over West Ham with a resounding 4-1 thrashing of Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States, and take on Everton in the final game on Sunday.
A summer of change at Old Trafford, for now at least, appears to have yielded positive results. Big-money moves for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – although the latter is yet to feature for his new club – have so far been the markers of the Amorim rebuild, while the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony look set to be offloaded before the end of the transfer window.
Marcus Rashford has secured a loan move to Barcelona while speculation has been growing about United possible interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa Ollie Watkins.
Dalot believes the team is now heading in the right direction, with the Portugal international praising his compatriot in helping to bring about positive squad cohesion.
“I think straight away it’s the connection between the players,” said Dalot.
“I think we’re now creating a group that fights for each other. I think that’s what we’re trying to create. Obviously, there’s still a long way to go. I’m not going to say perfect because it’s difficult, but that’s where we want to go, towards perfection.
“But obviously, I think you can see straight away, some signs of the team fighting a bit more, having more intensity and that’s what we’re trying to do. I think Ruben is really good as a manager in terms of trying to take the best out of you.”
Amorim’s “clear message” to the players
Dalot also revealed that Amorim was steadfast in the type of personality, and mentality, he wants in the dressing room at United.
Dalot added: “He’s very clear in his messages that you want to be a part of the team or you cannot be here. If you want to be at Manchester United, you need to match some standards. If you’re not able to match it, it’s not a place for you. The message is really clear.
“If you started pre-season, it’s because he believes that we’re the group that needs to come. Obviously, we had players coming in, which is always amazing. You can feel straight away that they match those standards.
“We’re really happy with how things are going, but we’re not going to get carried away by the results of what we’re doing. It just has to give you motivation that when you do things right, you get the results.”
United kick off their Premier League campaign with the visit of rivals Arsenal on Sunday 17 August.
https://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/3ARHXJB-1.jpg
2025-08-01 16:29:39
