A Manchester United star has claimed that he sees football in the “same way” as manager Erik ten Hag after suggesting that he is “still improving” at the club.
Erik ten Hag still has one more match at Manchester United in the current campaign before his second season at Old Trafford is done.
The 54-year-old United manager ended the Premier League season on Sunday with his side picking up a 2-0 win over Brighton at the Amex.
However, the Red Devils only managed an eighth-place finish in the Premier League table and United will be without Champions League football next season.
Ten Hag, who has faced mounting pressure this season, will see United’s season culminate on 25th May with their FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.
The Dutchman reached the FA Cup final last season with United, only for the Red Devils to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley in 2023.
Ten Hag’s influence on Man Utd star
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Diogo Dalot has opened up about the impact that Erik ten Hag has had on him during his Manchester United career.
The 25-year-old United full-back has been arguably the club’s best player this season and Dalot has excelled in the injury-plagued defence under Ten Hag.
Dalot, who was signed from Porto in 2018, has established himself as Ten Hag’s first-choice right-back at United ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, the Portugal and United defender has also shown his versatility at Old Trafford by playing at both right-back and left-back this season.
Dalot has insisted that Ten Hag has put his ‘trust’ in him and “believes” in him, with the United star insisting that he is “still improving” at the club.
“We clicked straight away,” he said.
“I’ve had plenty of managers during a short career – some you get on with immediately, others you must show that you deserve to play.
“Erik and I see football the same way. I can adapt to what he wants and take different roles in different positions, which helps him when players are not available.
“He has a player who knows what he wants and I have a manager who trusts and believes in me. I’m still improving.”
Dalot on improving at Man Utd
Dalot has made 49 appearances across all competitions for United this season and the Portugal international has scored two times and registered three assists.
The former Porto man made his presence felt in United’s final Premier League match of the season after he broke the deadlock against Brighton in the second half.
Dalot has said that the “biggest thing” for him is to play more matches and continue his development by learning from both the pros and cons of his performances.
“I’ve done that a lot – I can play right- or left-back – and am much more confident doing it,” he added.
“Playing regularly, as I have this season, is the best reward. I’ve played about 150 games for United now and feel better than I ever have here.
“I want to improve in all areas. On the pitch, doing things at the right moments, and off the pitch, in how my body recovers.
“The biggest thing is playing games. You learn from what you do well and what you don’t do well. That’s how you grow as a footballer.”
