“It’s a privilege…” Diogo Dalot admits Manchester United signing is a “really good player”

Diogo Dalot has admitted that one of Manchester United’s new signings is a “really good player” and is a “privilege” to play with.

In the 2024 summer transfer window, Manchester United made strategic moves to revamp their squad, as Erik ten Hag welcomed five new first-team players: Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Manuel Ugarte.

These signings were part of a concerted effort to bolster the team’s competitiveness.

Read More: Diogo Dalot admits he’s thankful for Aaron Wan-Bissaka despite Manchester United departure

To accommodate these additions, the club also executed several significant player sales, generating over £120 million. High-profile exits included Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay, Jadon Sancho, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The new signings have since had a mixed start to life at Old Trafford. Yoro is yet to make his debut after suffering a foot injury in pre-season, while striker Zirkzee has not scored since his debut in August. Ugarte has also drawn criticism, but is yet to fully embed with the rest of his squad.

However, the two signings from Bayern Munich, De Ligt and Mazraoui, have been fantastic of late, with the latter in particular impressing fans and pundits alike.

Dalot’s Mazraoui “privilege”

Mazraoui has caught the eye of not only those watching but also one of his teammates, Diogo Dalot. Due to injuries, Dalot has had to play as an auxiliary left-back, while Mazraoui has slotted into his usual right-back position.

Speaking to club media, Dalot explained that he has learned that Mazraoui is a very good player and has been impressed with him since the Morrocan international joined the club.

“Really good. He’s showed that he’s a really good player,” Dalot explained. It’s no coincidence that he played in one of the biggest clubs in the world, so for him to be here I think it’s a privilege for us, as players.

“That’s why the club bought him; that’s why the club wanted him here. We just have to take advantage of his qualities. When he’s on the pitch, I think he’s a really good player that can bring us a lot of different things. As long as he still continues helping the team I think he will be really good for us.”

Building relationships

Further, the 25-year-old was asked if building connections with new signings is something that can only happen on the football pitch or if the club is working on it behind the scenes, too.

“It’s an every-day challenge, to build this connection,” he explained.

“We look at especially the back line, and probably one of the no.6s, as our wall for the team. So we always try to make sure that that connection is really solid. Ultimately, my view is that if we don’t concede goals, we’re going to be closer to winning games.

“We know from last season that it was not quite there, from a number of situations that I’m not going to mention again. But this season, it’s been better.

“We know we can be even better, so I think that’s a process will take time, not just because of the new arrivals. It’s always different when you get new players but, as a team, we need to fix it.”

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