Diogo Dalot explains pre-season changes he made for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

Diogo Dalot has emerged as Manchester United’s first-choice right-back under Erik ten Hag this season.

The defender is having a great campaign and will likely come back into the side in United’s Carabao Cup fixture against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday after recently returning from injury.

Whilst he impressed when Ralf Rangnick was at the helm in an interim position last term, Dalot has elevated his level under the Dutch manager.

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Ten Hag placed a lot of importance on pre-season when he first joined the club and Dalot has revealed the adjustments he needed to make in the summer as he prepared for the season.

“Since I arrived in pre-season, I knew I had to be at my best level to play the way that he wants to play,” said Dalot when asked about the manager. “I think I fit right in with the type of play and the things he asks me to do on the pitch.

“I think it suits the way that I like to see football so it helps. Obviously, he’s a very good manager. He wants every player available and every player at the best level physically so I have to push myself more.

“Especially more in pre-season because I knew I had to be very good physically to be able to play the way that he wants.”

It has not only been the Portuguese right-back that has increased his levels under Ten Hag. A number of players, including top scorer Marcus Rashford, have found a new lease of life this term.

Speaking to MUTV on Rashford after United’s FA Cup win against Everton, Dalot added: “He has the mentality to be one of the best players in the world, I think he has the potential to be.

“He is already one of the best, but I think he can go to another level. As a team we want to help him get to that level.”