Diogo Dalot has admitted dealing with injury setbacks has been the most difficult part of his time at Manchester United, although the defender believes stints on the sidelines have taught him a lot as a player.
Dalot was the first-choice right-back at the club at the start of the season and his performances were among the best in his position in the Premier League, but he sustained an injury at the World Cup and that impacted his form.
Since the resumption of club football, Dalot has been forced to fight Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a starting role. Erik ten Hag has said the pair are 'closely matched' and that has been reflected by his ever-changing preference at right-back. ALSO READ: United manager Erik ten Hag holds calls with striker Hojlund However, Dalot signed a five-year contract this week and after his deal was extended, he reflected on his journey in Manchester.
Dalot said he's learned a lot since first signing and he admitted injuries have taught him some important lessons about himself. "I've learned a lot [since signing]," Dalot said. "I was a kid, not that I'm old now, but I was 19 years old, coming to a new country and league, meeting the biggest players in the world, so everything was 'wow and crazy', so big. "Then you start to realise, to stay at this club, you have to be consistent, do your best every single day, otherwise, as we say in Portugal, you get swallowed by everything, by the pressure, the media, even by your teammates. "You have to step up, grow in every aspect of the game and I think looking back, I'm proud of what I achieved, even if I had some doubts along the way.