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Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has revealed how manager Ruben Amorim’s rallying cry inspired him to step up and deliver a standout performance during United’s 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Dalot shone at Anfield, giving Trent Alexander-Arnold a tough challenge and demonstrating the leadership Amorim had called for ahead of the game. The Portuguese manager urged his senior players to “step up and help the other guys” amid a challenging period for the club.
Responding to Amorim’s plea, United produced their most cohesive performance of his tenure so far, halting a run of four consecutive defeats. The result has sparked renewed optimism among fans after what has been a turbulent season, with the team languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.
“It stung me. That’s exactly what he wanted from every player,” Dalot admitted. “I’ve been here for a while and know I can step up more. I’ll do everything I can to support my teammates, both on and off the pitch. The difference was clear—we played as more of a team.”
Amorim, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon, has faced a tough introduction to life at Old Trafford. A lack of consistent time on the training ground has been a frequent complaint from the manager. However, a full week of preparation before the Liverpool clash seemed to pay dividends, with Dalot crediting the focused sessions for the team’s improved structure.
“When we have time to train properly, it makes all the difference,” said Dalot. “It’s about knowing what each player will do on the pitch and trusting the structure. Against Liverpool, we felt more compact and organized. It was almost instinctive.”
Amorim now turns his attention to next Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Arsenal, with another week of preparation offering hope for continued progress.