This weekend, as Manchester United prepares for the Manchester Derby in the Premier League, Dalot will make his 250th appearance for Manchester United. Ahead of this milestone, the Manchester United defender spoke with ESPN's Manchester United correspondent, Rob Dawson. He discussed his nine years at Manchester United, why he has remained at the club, his responsibility in helping young players, the advantages of having Carrick as manager at Manchester United, the Manchester Derby, and how to help Manchester United return to its former glory. Below is the second part of this exclusive interview.
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When you talk about "helping others," do you feel it is now your responsibility as part of the leadership group? Because young players usually focus only on themselves when they arrive, trying to adapt. Now that you are more experienced, do you feel obligated that when new signings arrive, you tell them: "No, at Manchester United, this is how we should behave"?
It has to be. I remember when I arrived, there were several veterans who had been at the club for a long time, and they gave me a lot of guidance and support, allowing me to understand certain truths – for example, sometimes when you are going through a difficult period, things are not as bad as you imagine; and sometimes, when you feel good about yourself, you must genuinely maintain a sense of pain and urgency. Because people often misinterpret criticism; criticism is not all bad, it is often constructive feedback, and you must proactively take responsibility and demonstrate ownership. You can never adopt an attitude of "I don't read any news" or "I don't care about external opinions."
Sometimes you have to care, because that concern becomes a driving force and sense of responsibility that makes you better. The secret is to understand and find balance: discern which advice is truly beneficial for you and understand how to become a better player. Similarly, when the team is doing well, the outside world will praise you, making you feel like you are one of the best in the world, but that is often not enough to maintain your focus for an entire season, because once you become complacent and encounter a setback, you will fall to the bottom. Having been at Manchester United for so long, I believe it is my responsibility to help my teammates see reality, to make them understand that sometimes things are not as bad as they seem, but also never as perfect as they imagine. So yes, I definitely think this is one of my main roles now, and I am very happy to take on that responsibility.
Carrick seems very good at maintaining that mental balance, never getting too euphoric or too despondent, especially when facing the media. He never lets himself get carried away. Have you noticed that in him?
Of course, I think that is one of his most striking qualities. Although I did not get to play alongside him as a teammate – he was already an assistant coach when I arrived – I can perfectly imagine that he was equally composed as a player. To have success at Manchester United for many years, you must possess such an extremely calm and steady playing style and character. That is one of his greatest strengths. As a Manchester United legend, he knows exactly what it means to play away at Leeds or Anfield, and he is well aware of the importance of facing Manchester City at home. That deep experience, both as a player and as a coach, gives him an enormous advantage. Thus, he can always transmit the right energy to us in critical moments, helping us maintain the correct mentality; but at the same time, when the situation is not favorable, he will certainly make us feel that pain and urgency deeply.
On Sunday, you will face Manchester City at home in a crucial match. You just mentioned your desire for greater success. Is it particularly difficult to play for Manchester United during a period when your city rivals are so successful?
Yes, I will not sugarcoat it and say it is not painful, because the reality is truly hard. Especially in these direct confrontations. There were seasons, in the past, when we could not even compete with them. It is heartbreaking to admit that, because as a club with such a rich heritage as Manchester United, every time we take the field, we should inherently carry the spirit of victory and determination.
Encouragingly, the situation has changed over the years, and now you can really feel that in any match, as long as we perform at a high level and maintain the right mentality, we are fully capable of facing any opponent. This is the most wonderful feeling a Manchester United player can have, because you want to take the field and prove to the world that you are defending such a great club.
One thing I have learned during these years is that matches of such importance can change or even save the trajectory of an entire season. Last season was a vivid example; our situation was not ideal, but after defeating Manchester City, the morale of the entire team soared, and then we went on a winning streak. Although this season we have dropped some points we should have taken and have not met expectations, these elite confrontations can spark something, making us believe that the team can demonstrate the fighting spirit and quality it should have. Therefore, I do not think there is a match now that we are more eager to fight in than this derby.
As the big match approaches, what is it like to be a Manchester United player in Manchester? Do fans stop you on the street and say: "You have to win on Sunday, please"? Is that the atmosphere throughout the city?
Yes, it happens frequently. I have experienced many similar situations; sometimes, the greatest desire of some fans throughout the season is that we beat Liverpool, or that we defeat Manchester City. This confirms precisely how crucial it is for the fans to see the club overcome its rivals and return to its former glory. But we know very well that to compete for the Premier League title, you must beat almost every opponent. However, it all starts with these high-stakes confrontations; we must make our title rivals understand that Manchester United will not be absent from the competition. Being able to participate in such a confrontation is always exciting, and the atmosphere at the stadium is incomparable, especially at Old Trafford, where fans can always inspire infinite possibilities – this is the charm and magic of this club.
Traduzido por IA.
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Manchester United
Manchester City
Michael Carrick
Diogo Dalot
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