Dalot Dalot sends strong message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe after overpaid jibe at Man Utd flops

Sir Jim Ratcliffe accused some members of Ruben Amorim’s squad of being overpaid and underperforming – and Diogo Dalot admitted his message has resonated strongly inside the dressing room

Diogo Dalot has told Sir Jim Ratcliffe that Manchester United’s players ARE prepared to sacrifice themselves to make the club great again.

At the end of a week when United’s outspoken co-owner accused some members of Ruben Amorim’s squad of being overpaid and underperforming, Dalot admitted his uncompromising message has resonated strongly inside the Old Trafford dressing room.

But the Portuguese defender insists that being ready to suffer for the cause has always been the price that comes with wearing the famous red shirt. “I think the history of this club is about sacrifice and fighting against the world,” said Dalot ahead of United’s trip to face Leicester.

“It’s about sacrificing yourself, and each other, every moment on the pitch and being together with the fans to create the energy we all feel in Old Trafford.

“This is the history of the club. If you want to be successful you have to have that desire to try to do everything on the pitch. Whether you like it or not, the attitude has to be there.

“It is clear that when we are 14th or 15th in the league we are not doing what we should. If we want to put Manchester United back on top we need to do much better.

“Ultimately this club will only progress through what we do on the pitch, so we are all responsible for the future and the momentum. We know that we have that responsibility – but we want to take it. The pressure is high but we are Manchester United players for a reason.”

Amorim has been unable to win games on a consistent basis after replacing Erik ten Hag with a mandate to bring a new playing philosophy to the club. Dalot believes United are now on an upward trajectory after a six-game run where the only defeat has been the penalty shoot-out loss to Fulham.

But he has told the INEOS Group that has been put in charge of football operations at the club that having to navigate bumps in the road are a consequence of the changes they are bringing in.

Dalot said: “If you are a top footballer you need to be able to change things quickly. But obviously it does take time because we have been playing in the last few years in a different way.

“You can see this is a period of change, especially since INEOS have come in. The club wants to go in a direction. They want to rebuild Man United and put Man United back on top.

“I hope in the next couple of years we can go there. I think you are now seeing a much better team than a couple of months ago.”

He added: “When we talk about needing time, we aren’t saying that just to buy time. I think it is something that is going to happen.

“Obviously it is difficult when you play for a club like this because you must improve by always winning. The pressure is always high to win every game and when results don’t come, it’s difficult to show progress.

“But I think in the last couple of games you have seen something different. There have been different styles of play, but overall we are improving, I think. It’s something everyone can see, but results will ultimately show our position.”

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