Diogo Dalot believes Manchester United’s comeback win against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday can transform their troubled season and, as importantly, showed unhappy supporters that the players care. The Glazer family, who have owned United since 2005 and loaded £1.2bn of debt onto the club, continue to be the focus for fan anger and there was yet another protest against them before kick-off at Old Trafford, with thousands of green and gold balloons released from the Stretford End. The home crowd sang anti-Glazer songs and threw tennis balls on to the pitch when the clock showed 20 minutes and five seconds, to symbolise the year 2005.
The team have seven points from their opening nine games of the Premier League season; their worst start since 1987-88. The players have also been criticised, with the Stretford End turning on them as they left the pitch after the recent 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth. The fans had previously serenaded the manager, Michael Carrick, who they back to the hilt.
Dalot was the last player to depart that day. He walked off slowly and looked defiant in the face of the jeers. It was a much happier story for him and the team against Roma, with Matheus Cunha’s two late goals sealing a 3-2 victory.
United had been booed off at half-time as they trailed 2-0. Bruno Fernandes started the revival when he scored with a retaken penalty. Nights like this [against Roma] give you an extra confidence that makes you believe you can create these moments – not just for us but for the fans.
And it’s important from everyone around the club feeling that we care, that we want to turn this around. I think we showed, especially in the second 45 minutes, that we really want to turn this around.” Dalot, now into his ninth season as a United player, is a symbol of the club’s difficulties; the muddled thinking. Forced to play out of position at left-back as the only specialist in the position – Luke Shaw – is injured, he has given his all.
But with imbalances and weaknesses elsewhere in the defence, the Portuguese’s best efforts have not always been enough. The decision of the United hierarchy not to sign any defensive reinforcements over the summer continues to dumbfound. Dalot, who has been a target for social media abuse, was a part of the dismal first-half performance against Roma.
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