Diogo Dalot has sought to brush aside criticism from Ruben Amorim after the Manchester United boss recently said he and Patrick Dorgu were playing ‘far from the best’.
Dalot has been a valuable member of Amorim’s squad since the Portguese coach’s arrival from Sporting Libson midway through last season.
The 26-year-old has started nine Premier League matches so far this season, with his versatility seeing him deployed in both wing-back roles in United’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Dalot scored his first goal of the season in United’s midweek draw with West Ham, but Amorim has frequently made clear that he still expects more from the Portuguese international, as well as fellow wing-back Patrick Dorgu.
‘When I see them training, they are doing so much better than in games,’ Amorim said of Dalot and Dorgu late last month.
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‘They are far from the best and they know it. So like a lot of players in our team, like myself, so I just look at them and they have so much more to give.’
When asked about Amorim’s comments ahead of United’s trip to Wolves, Dalot admitted he must always seek to improve, but didn’t think his manager was singling him out.
‘I think it’s something in general,’ Dalot said of Amorim’s comments. ‘He could be talking about me but I think he could be talking about everyone at the club.
‘We always have to find ways to improve ourselves, be more consistent. We are in a team where you’re as good as your last game.
‘So, you just have to know that this is a type of pressure for a big club like Man Utd.
‘Fortunately, I’m here long enough to understand how it works and find a way to help the team. I think that’s the aim for everybody.’
The Red Devils have lost just one of their last eight league games, but disappointing home performances against Everton and West Ham sees them languishing in 12th ahead of Monday’s game.
And Dalot said he and his teammates need to become more ‘obsessed’ if they are to truly kick on under Amorim this season.
‘I think we need to become a bit more obsessed about playing for this club, winning games and winning trophies for this club. But it’s a process,’ he said.
‘I’m not going to get into the ‘we need time’ thing. I think we have to win straight away because that’s what the club demands.
‘That’s why it hurts sometimes even more when we have opportunities like this (against West Ham) and we don’t win.
‘Even after winning three or four games in a row, people will expect you to win five or six or seven. So, we just have to focus on one game, one win at the time.
‘(Against West Ham) we had a good chance to get closer to the top positions and I think that’s what hurts even more.’
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