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  • 7 months ago
Diogo Dalot on Utd season preview and training ground refurbishment

08/08/2025

CARRINGTON TRAINING CENTRE, MANCHESTER, UK
Transcript
00:00What about this new redevelopment behind you and how much has applied as a means to have some world-class facilities once again?
00:06I think they are special. I've been here for a while now and coming back obviously to the main building, it feels special.
00:15It feels also a bit emotional to come back and see that finally the club gets the infrastructure that I think the club deserves.
00:24So all credit to Sir Jim and his team. I think they did a fantastic job in such a short period of time.
00:31I know it's hard sometimes in constructions to do everything on time and everything quick.
00:37So I think it was something that we were waiting for a long time but at the same time really excited that it's done and ready to go.
00:44Just give us some insight on what it was like last season working on a bit of a construction site
00:50but then things now that you get to see in this redevelopment, what are some things that really stand out?
00:55Because you've got to see it inside.
00:57I think the message was clear last season that we also had to be patient in terms of trying to adapt to what we had.
01:04I mean we always find a way to do things but I think now it just makes it a bit more easier.
01:10Obviously logistic wise it's much easier and everything is in one place and we can do it in a more smooth way.
01:17And obviously the spaces that were created to be together for us to create this dynamic as a team as well.
01:25And at the same time you have access to everything that you need to be in the top level.
01:30Sir Jim spoke about how this is just one ingredient of becoming a top team once again.
01:35I know Cristiano criticised it a few years ago as well but how big of a step does this feel as a squad, as yourself,
01:41that this is a good step into the going forward?
01:44Yeah, like I said I think Sir Jim had the same vision as a lot of people, even us when we had the talk before the construction started.
01:53I think we were very aligned with what the club needed and what the players needed also and also the staff.
01:59I think now I'm very happy that anybody that comes in to the club as a new member of staff or a new player, they get to see this.
02:09I think that's the best way to promote straight away a club like this and a club like Man United and now it's up to us to do it on a pitch as well so we can match that centre.
02:19You say it's up to you as the team. You're one of the longest serving players now in the squad and one of the themes of this new building is about team unity.
02:28So just talk to me about the unity in this squad as we speak as you've gone through pre-season. Is it any different to the previous?
02:35I think it's important for us. Obviously this club is all about getting people united, being together with the fans, create this dynamic between each other where we fight for each other every single day, every single game.
02:48And I think this facility also brings you that message. You come in straight away and you can see the history of the club, you can have access to the best things in the world.
03:02So it just sends you a message that you are playing in the biggest club in the world. So I think that has to bring you even more responsibility because the standard is getting higher and higher and I think that's the way it should be.
03:16But like I said, ultimately it will be what we do on the pitch because that's what says if you're a winning club or not because it's what we do. Winning football games, that's what we want to do.
03:28Diogo, following on from that, can you tell us about this new leadership group and how that looks and operates?
03:33Yeah, I think it's just something that the club, the manager decided for us to also create a good dynamic inside the team so we can have six players with different personalities but at the same time with the same goal, trying to make the team better, trying to make the club better.
03:55And I think that's the most important thing. Obviously, it brings us more responsibility. We have to be the first ones to give the example. I think that's the best way to lead a club like this.
04:07And then anytime we need to be assertive, determined to fix things. I think that sometimes we push those things too much to the managers, to directors and sometimes we can do it by ourselves as a team and that's the dynamic we want to create.
04:23It must be nice as well to be chosen. It's not disparaging anyone else but for a long-serving player to be seen by the management as someone that is important to lead standards must be nice.
04:35Yeah, obviously, it gives me a feeling of pride. Obviously, it's something that it became natural in me. I came here with 19 years old so you can imagine how I developed also as a man, as a teammate.
04:50I saw a lot of players coming and going and I took good examples of leadership also and things that I liked and how I try to be one of the most servant players in the team.
05:02I'm not going to say old because I'm not but being one of the players that are here for a long time, I try always to pass that message to them that it's not easy to play in a club like this and the standards have to be high all the time.
05:17Let's ask one. This opening today of a brilliant new structure kind of adds to a feel-good factor that's been building after obviously what was a very disappointing season. Is it fair to say there is like a sense of renewed hope, renewed optimism around the place?
05:31Yeah, I'm sure it gives you more energy and I think that's the first and big important step for us to feel welcomed, for us to feel at home.
05:41I think that the dynamic obviously will change from last season because now you have your own place and like I said it feels good to be back in the main building.
05:52Although it's the same space inside is completely different. So it's quite special to be around and to come to a facility like this.
06:04And now it's up to us. The responsibility is even higher because we have all the conditions that a player needs to be physically and mentally ready.
06:14And now it's what we do on the pitch.
06:19Thanks for that.
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