When Rio Ferdinand initially arrived at Old Trafford, the legend of Manchester United wasn’t sure about one skill, but Cristiano Ronaldo allayed his fears and encouraged him not to worry.
When Rio Ferdinand first voiced concerns about Manchester United star Diogo Dalot’s potential early in his tenure at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo comforted him.
Dalot, a vital member of Erik ten Hag’s squad this year, has made 32 appearances in all competitions, with two goals and three assists. Additionally, he put on an excellent display on Sunday against Aston Villa, setting up Scott McTominay for the game-winning goal with a well-placed cross.
After paying £19 million to join United from Porto in July 2018, the 24-year-old has appeared in 139 appearances for the team. And even though he was sent to AC Milan on loan during the 2020–21 season, he is currently having a stable spell in the team.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ferdinand acknowledged on Vibe with Five that he had doubted Dalot’s position on the team until Ronaldo persuaded him of the player’s ability. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner left United in 2009 but came back in 2021 for an additional 18 months before signing with Al-Nassr, a Saudi team.
“I had my doubts about him from the start. I asked Cristiano Ronaldo, ‘Is he really that good?’ He replied, ‘It takes practice to make yourself better, 100% improvement,” Ferdinand recalled. At the training site, he spoke with Darren Fletcher and complimented Dalot’s work ethic.
Ferdinand went on, “I still think he probably needs to work a little bit defensively.” But in the match against Aston Villa yesterday, I felt he played excellent defence. If we have players running onto that cross with the ball, the attackers will make the runs and we will score more goals.”
Ten Hag also praised Dalot for his effort against Villa. “Everyone gets criticism but he is a fantastic player who is developing very well,” stated the Dutchman. “He is becoming more adept at crosses and is a versatile player. He can score goals, and his defence is becoming better, so I’m happy with him.”
Dalot is now firmly ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the team’s pecking order after managing to establish his position at right-back. Wan-Bissaka, who cost £50 million when he moved from Crystal Palace in 2019, may be free to depart this summer as he approaches the end of his contract.
United has already deployed scouts to study Bayer Leverkusen player Jeremie Frimpong in order to prepare for that possibility. And they’re by no means the only team interested in the Dutchman, who plays on the right side of Xabi Alonso’s formidable table-topping team in the Bundesliga this season and has six goals and six assists.