Diogo Dalot jumps to the defence of Erik ten Hag despite dismal season | OneFootball

Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot has jumped to the defence of his under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils have struggled massively this season and have conceded a mammoth 84 goals in all competitions.

However, Dalot has been one of the few players who can hold his head up high when the season concludes on Saturday after the FA Cup final versus Manchester City.

He has previously stated that he is in the form of his life this season and this was backed up when he was named the Players’ Player of the Year on Thursday.

The Portuguese international has shown incredible consistency, playing 49 games in all competitions and has netted three goals and registered five assists in that time.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the 25-year-old felt that his side had let down the United fans, who have always got behind their team irrespective of the results, most notably after the hammering against Crystal Palace at the start of this month.

As the United players trudged over to the away fans at Selhurst Park after a 4-0 defeat, the fans stood in unison and applauded their team’s efforts, earning praise from many corners.

Speaking on the reception the players received, Dalot commented, “I feel there is something … listen, I’m going to be really honest with you, after that game against Palace, the way the fans were supporting us, it was almost like a feeling that we didn’t deserve that.”

“After you concede four goals against Palace, they were still there, pushing us, after the awful game we had. This is the type of thing that shows why these fans are special.”

Dalot also confirmed that despite the odds being stacked against them, United would use the reaction of the fans as inspiration to pay them back for their efforts on Saturday at Wembley.

“They are always expecting something special so we’re going into the game on Saturday to try to give them a special afternoon and realise this special feeling that they always feel is going to happen.”

The full-back was then asked a question about his manager, Erik ten Hag. The future of the manager is probably the most discussed aspect of life at the club at the moment with a host of names linked to the position, despite Ten Hag still being in the job prior to a cup final.

Dalot jumped to the defence of the beleaguered coach and claimed, “Yeah obviously, we look to him as our leader. Normally this is what leaders do – they always take the bullets for everyone. But make no mistake about it, don’t misunderstand it – we take responsibility for what we do on the pitch.”

“Obviously he tries to give his best, we try to give our best but this is the type of connection that we need to have, with players and with the manager, and we have a good connection with him.”

The former Porto man has already spoken on the connection he has with the manager and he has claimed that they have the same vision when it comes to how football should be played.

Dalot will be hoping he can cap his 50th match of the season in the perfect way by lifting the FA Cup in front of joyous fans at Wembley.

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