Diogo Dalot admits he’s seen a ‘mental change’ in Manchester United star who’s now thriving

Diogo Dalot has admitted he’s seen a mental change in one of Manchester United’s stars, who is now thriving under Erik ten Hag.

Diogo Dalot‘s rise under Erik ten Hag has been fantastic viewing for Manchester United fans over the past two seasons.

The Portuguese right-back joined United at 19, and his career never quite got off the ground, with a series of injuries affecting the young player from FC Porto.

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He was eventually shipped out to AC Milan on loan, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka the first-choice player under then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

However, since Ten Hag arrived at United in 2022, Dalot has become a first-team regular and one of the Dutchman’s most essential players, and it is now integral to the manager’s current system from a defensive standpoint.

Being able to play in both full-back areas, he has developed a fantastic understanding of two other key players, Lisandro Martínez and André Onana, and was recently quizzed on the latter’s good form.

Onana’s new mentality

André Onana’s inaugural season at United was poor, with the goalkeeper making multiple costly mistakes. However, in 2024/25, the Cameroon international has become one of the club’s most solid players, and Dalot himself has noticed a change.

Speaking to club media, Dalot explained that Onana has “changed mentally” of late, becoming more prepared for the highs and lows of playing for the 20-time Premier League champions.

“I think it’s been more of a change mentally than footballistic attributes,” Dalot explained when asked to assess Onana’s development over the last 12 months.

“I think he’s the same player. The only thing that he changed is that he is, I think, more balanced mentally, and really prepared for the highs and lows. At this club, because of the demands and the expectations we have here, it can be really easy for you to fall mentally and to feel really bad.

“Even when things are going well for you, for you to feel over-hyped. So I think he found this balance of being really calm and really confident, and I think it shows on the pitch that he is really good.”

Proving doubters wrong

During Onana’s first campaign, he continually explained that he was sure he would improve and become a better goalkeeper while at the club.

Although many doubted that this would happen, he has gone on to do just that and is leading the Premier League’s Golden Glove race with four clean sheets after nine games.

Ten Hag will be pleased to see that the man he spent over £40 million on in 2023 is now performing to his expected levels. Onana will likely continue to thrive on and off the field as a vital part of the club’s system.

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