Diogo Dalot fires 'anger' message to Man Utd dressing room after latest setback

View 3 Images

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has called on his teammates to channel their "anger and drive" to fuel their performances.

Following a disappointing draw against West Ham , Dalot expressed his frustration and urged his fellow players to become "more obsessed" with winning.

Dalot scored the opening goal in the 58th minute against West Ham. However, the away team managed to claw back a point from a corner in the final moments of the match. This missed opportunity prevented United from moving up to fifth place in the Premier League table. Post-match, Amorim was spiky during his press conference, saying he felt "anger and frustration".

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone, Dalot didn't hide his disappointment. "We are very disappointed. We cannot concede a goal, we have to control more the game. We should have done the same as we did for 60 minutes, and try to score the second. We had the game there," he said.

Discussing the team's conversation post-match, Dalot shared: "Just that feeling - we cannot drop the intentions that we had to score a goal, to go out for the second one, to control even more with the ball," reports the Manchester Evening News .

"And when we lose the ball, be in a good position so we don't suffer counter-attacks. Because we knew that today was going to be, for West Ham, the only way of creating danger was going to be second balls, transitions or set plays."

Dalot was asked about the inconsistency and responded: "First of all, I don't think they [West Ham] are at that [poor] level. Obviously, they have a lower block and you saw how hard it is to get in during 60 minutes.

"But as soon as we found a way to score a goal, we need to keep doing the same things because that's what put us in the position to control the game. I think we are dominant even though we conceded one or two transitions that we could have avoided.

View 3 Images

"But in the end, they score a goal, it's not so hard to create chances and put the ball in the net. But then, with 30 minutes to go, we need to fight for the result."

Dalot continued: "It's always like this [needing to put together a run of decent results]. Even after winning three or four games in a row, people will expect you to win five or six or seven.

"So, we just have to focus on one game, one win at the time. Today, we had a good chance to get closer to the top positions and I think that's what hurts even more."

Reflecting on the squandered opportunity to climb to fifth, Dalot continued: "That's something that has to call us and has to be something that we need to look at. Because, in these moments, if we deliver, we'll probably be in another position and we'll be talking about other things.

"But that's part of the game also. But, at the same time, we have opportunities to improve. And, like I said, it's just a disappointing feeling because we had a game there."

View 3 Images

Dalot seemed to question his teammates when he hinted that subpar performances were down to "sometimes not football qualities", saying: "I think we've shown this season that we can be a very good team and we can beat anybody. Then, it's something that we need to get into ourselves.

"Sometimes, it's not football qualities. It has to be from inside. It has to be from the anger and the drive that you have every day to win football games and to live your life like that.

"I think we need to become a bit more obsessed about playing for this club, winning games and winning trophies for this club. But it's a process. I'm not going to get into the 'we need time' thing.

"I think we have to win straight away because that's what the club demands. That's why it hurts sometimes even more when we have opportunities like this and we don't win."

Dalot was dropped from the starting XI in favour of Patrick Dorgu ahead of the November international break, and found himself on the substitute bench when Everton visited Old Trafford. When Amorim was questioned about his left wing-back choices, he implied that neither player was replicating their training ground form on match days.

Nevertheless, Dalot made his mark upon returning to the side against Crystal Palace , earning the set-piece that resulted in Mason Mount's decisive strike, before following that up with a goal of his own against West Ham. When quizzed about Amorim's remarks, Dalot responded: "I think it's something in general. He could be talking about me, but I think he could be talking about everyone at the club. We always have to find ways to improve ourselves, be more consistent. We are in a team where you're as good as your last game.

"So, you just have to know that this is a type of pressure for a big club like Man United. Fortunately, I'm here long enough to understand how it works and find a way to help the team. I think that's the aim for everybody."

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.