Rio Ferdinand U-turns on Mourinho signing after Man Utd training ground chat

16 February 2024 , 11:29

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Rio Ferdinand has spoken highly of United defender Diogo Dalot (Image: Naomi Baker)

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted he had his doubts over Jose Mourinho signing Diogo Dalot, but chats with key Red Devils figures have helped change his mind.

Dalot has been a mainstay in Erik ten Hag's first-choice starting line-up so far this season, but it has taken a while for the Portugal international to earn the trust of the expectant Old Trafford faithful, including Ferdinand. The Red Devils icon has conceded he hasn't always thought that the defender would make the grade at United.

One thing that has helped Dalot make himself such an integral part of this current United crop is his versatility. He is able to be deployed at both right and left-back, which has come in handy at times this term given Luke Shaw's injury woes.

Since the start of the campaign, Dalot, who was signed by Mourinho in 2018, has missed just two games. The opening day win over Wolves, in which he was left as an unused substitute and the defeat away at West Ham in December due to suspension. Of the other 22, he has completed the full 90 minutes every single time bar once.

In turn, Ferdinand has discussed Dalot's form and shed light on a training ground discussion that lead to him changing his mind on the defender. Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE podcast, he claimed: "Dalot needs a special mention because he's someone I doubted earlier.

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"I remember speaking to Cristiano [Ronaldo] going 'Is he really going to be any good?' And Cristiano said 'Rio, he works, he'll work hard, he'll make himself better, 100 per cent he'll improve'.

"I said to Darren Fletcher, I was at the training ground the other day, I said 'He's [Dalot] really impressed me,' and he was saying 'Listen, he's a worker, he's going to make himself the player he needs to be'. I still think defensively he probably needs to work a little bit but defensively [vs Aston Villa] I thought he was very good."

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Diogo Dalot has come in for praise after a recent run of fine form

Manager Ten Hag echoed a similar sentiment in the aftermath of last Sunday's dramatic 2-1 win at Aston Villa. The United boss made clear that Dalot is starting to win over those who weren't convinced by his displays.

“Everyone gets criticism," the Dutchman explained. "But he is a fantastic player who is developing very well. He can score and his defending is improving. He can play in so many positions and he is improving on crosses."

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Josh O'Brien