Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has insisted that Andre Onana’s incredible change in fortunes from last season is because of the goalkeeper’s mentality adjustment.
Onana endured an extremely difficult start to life at United following his arrival from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023.
He committed a number of high-profile mistakes, especially in the Champions League, that dearly cost United. Towards the end of a tumultuous 2023/24, Onana demonstrated signs of improvement and ended the campaign on a slightly more positive note.
This term, he has been one of the Red Devils’ better players and won last month’s Player of the Month award. He also scooped up the Premier League’s Save of the Month prize for his sensational double stop against Crystal Palace.
There is a growing feeling that the Cameroonian has finally settled at Old Trafford and is now showing why Erik ten Hag forked out big money to secure his services.
Dalot spoke to club media and was asked to assess Onana’s development over the last 12 months. The Portugal international said, “I think it’s been more of a change mentally than footballistic attributes. 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.”
Another teammate Dalot spoke about was Tyrell Malacia, who is nearing a return to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an injury.
Dalot said about Malacia, “Yeah. It was really tough to see him and the struggle that he’s been through. You can’t imagine how difficult it would be to not be able to do what you love, your job, for such a long time. That’s why we celebrated when he came on training with us, even if it was just for the little boxes… to make sure that he feels we are ready to welcome him and to keep helping him, because he’s going to need it.”
“At the end of the day, it was a really long time since he got an injury. We’re really pleased to have him. The team needs him and the club needs him, so we are really happy.”
Noussair Mazraoui has been a hit since signing from Bayern Munich in August. Like Dalot, the Moroccan can play both as a left-back and a right-back.
Dalot remarked about Mazraoui, “Really good. He’s showed that he’s a really good player. 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.”
This season, Dalot has shown a willingness to drift into midfield positions slightly more. When asked about this, the 25-year-old explained that this new role has “brought him something different” as it has given him a fresh perspective on a new part of the pitch.
He indicated that he enjoys this responsibility and will keep doing it for as long as the manager instructs him to.
Dalot also revealed that he relishes being one of the more senior players at the club and he does not take it lightly. He explained that his leadership qualities come to him naturally, which makes it easy to translate it onto the pitch.
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