Cristiano Ronaldo counselled Rio Ferdinand to have faith in Diogo Dalot’s progress with Manchester United.
Rio Ferdinand recently revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo advised him to be patient with right-back Diogo Dalot, who initially struggled to adapt to life at the club, according to the Daily Mail.
After spending £19 million to purchase Dalot from Porto in 2019, the player struggled and spent a year on loan at AC Milan because of his lacklustre play. But under manager Erik Ten Hag, he has now developed into a key member of Man Utd as they fight for a top-four Premier League position.
Although there were initial concerns about Dalot’s capabilities, Ferdinand revealed in an interview that Ronaldo constantly gave him confidence regarding the right-back’s potential.
Ferdinand recalled, “I remember speaking to Cristiano Ronaldo and said, ‘Is he really that good?’ — and Cristiano said he will work hard, make himself better, and 100 per cent improve.” The 24-year-old has made 32 appearances this season with two goals and three assists, demonstrating development.
After having a change of heart, Ferdinand praised Dalot’s outstanding performance, pointing out in particular his strong defensive play in the most recent victory over Aston Villa. He praised Dalot’s ball-handling abilities and emphasized how his accurate crosses may lead to more possibilities for goals.
The encouraging views were shared by Manager Ten Hag, who praised Dalot’s adaptability and noteworthy growth. “He is a fantastic player who is developing very well,” he said, highlighting Dalot’s versatility, improved crossing, and defensive and offensive contributions.
Ronaldo’s support and acknowledgement from influential members of the team highlight Dalot’s ongoing development and his increasing significance to Manchester United.