Diogo Dalot: Man United ace explains unique dressing-room role | OneFootball

Diogo Dalot is one of the longest-serving Manchester United players in the current squad and also one of the club’s most important players. The Portuguese arrived at Old Trafford in 2018 from Porto as a highly talented young full-back.

After two seasons with the Red Devils, during which he was in and out of the first team, Dalot moved to AC Milan on a season-long loan. He enjoyed a successful spell in Italy and, upon his return to the Theatre of Dreams, he was integrated into the first team.

Dalot initially competed with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a first-team place, but became the preferred choice for the position after the Englishman’s departure. He has retained his importance so far, with the 26 year old’s ability to slot in on the left flank also making him an asset for the Red Devils.

Dalot’s season so far

Dalot was a first-team regular under former head coach Ruben Amorim, who deployed him as a wing-back in his 3-4-3 system. After the former Sporting manager’s departure at the turn of the year, and the subsequent arrival of caretaker manager Michael Carrick, United switched to a 4-2-3-1 system.

Dalot effortlessly slotted into the right-back position and has since started six of United’s seven games under the Englishman. The Portuguese has now registered one goal and three assists from 29 games in all competitions for the Red Devils this season.

Diogo Dalot Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

Recent reports have suggested that Real Madrid are interested in the Portuguese, although the player appears settled at Old Trafford. Dalot is under contract with the Red Devils until 2028, so the club is under no pressure to let him go either.

While the Premier League giants could further bolster the full-back position this summer, Dalot remains a key figure for the club. In a recent candid interview, the Portuguese shed light on the influence of music in his life.

The King of Music

Speaking in an interview covered in the first issue of United magazine, as cited by the club’s website, Dalot explained his role as the squad DJ. He said: “Music has been a big part of my life, not just me but in my family as well, and I think I’m the type of person that really likes different types of music and different styles, so I would say that I can reach everybody in the dressing room.”

“That’s one of the reasons why I started putting music on. For the last few years it’s been like this and I try to please everybody. I think music is important for you before a game to feel energised and to feel connected, and in a good mood to go to the game. So, I try to choose the right ones [songs].”

Dalot’s music choice is appreciated by the squad, with Bryan Mbeumo recently hailing the Portuguese as “the king [of the music]”. Matheus Cunha also heaped praise on Dalot, calling him “an unbelievable DJ” who “plays a little part of the world for everyone”.

The Portuguese insisted that his love for music comes from his family, adding: “My parents, at university when they were doing their studies, they met each other in a choir. They met each other by singing, through music, so everything started there.”

“And I remember when I was a young kid I played piano for a while, I also tried to sing in a choir, so music was always a big part of my life. My sister [Mariana, a talented singer] was pretty much done that she would make music for her life – myself, I was a little bit in between sports and music, and as soon as I started to understand, or my parents start to understand, that I was more into football than music they pushed me a bit more to one side.”

“But it was always something that was a big part of my life and I think everybody enjoys it. Even if it’s one time per day or one time per week, there’s always that space in your life to hear some music and to get inspired by music.”

Final Thoughts

The recent interview displays camaraderie at the Theatre of Dreams, which could be key to squad morale as United strive to secure a top-four finish this season. Carrick may have taken the team to third in the Premier League after 29 games, but as the shock defeat against Newcastle United suggests, the job is far from over.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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