Diogo Dalot ruled by ‘underdog’ status ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup final against Manchester City

Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot says he and his team-mates will go into Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City with the “right mindset” and said being underdogs gives him extra motivation to win.

This weekend’s clash at Wembley Stadium will be a repeat of last year’s final, where City won 2-1 on the day and went on to lift a historic treble.

Pep Guardiola’s side could win a double if they beat United after winning this season’s Premier League title. Meanwhile, United finished in eighth place, their lowest top-flight finish since 1989-90.

Dalot, who has been one of United’s most consistent performers this season and voted the club’s player of the year, claims he understands why United are not considered favorites to lift the trophy but believes his side have what it takes. to beat City.

He said: “We finished the game (last season’s final) with that feeling of ‘we could have won it’ and to be so close to winning it and not doing it, this season we have another opportunity.

“So the message from inside (the club) is that this is our game of the season. This is how we face it, this is how we want to face it and how we should face it.

Dalot won United’s player of the year award this season (Ash Donelon/Manchester United)

“For me personally, it gives me more energy (going into the game as underdogs). You shouldn’t be the underdog when you’re at Manchester United, but at the same time we’re up against a team that has dominated English football – whether we like it or not – and we want to be there. We want to be the team in the future that everyone thinks will automatically win. So for me it gives me energy, because I don’t want to be in that position.

“I’ve been at this club for a while and I want to feel that feeling of dominance in every game and every competition we play, wherever we go. So for me it’s good because it gives me even more energy to want to win it. But at the same time the energy inside Carrington has to be ‘if they think they’re going to win, let’s see if they do’ and that’s the kind of drive I try to give my team. – formwork. We’re trying to prepare for this game this week and we’re going to go there with the right mindset.”

Dalot has made 49 appearances in all competitions for United this season, scoring three and assisting five.

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in United’s defence, despite Erik ten Hag’s side dealing with a number of injuries throughout the campaign in the backline.

United’s inconsistent performances have increased the pressure on Ten Hag, but Dalot has come out in support of the Dutchman, arguing he has been “an amazing manager”.

“We look to him (Ten Hag) as our leader,” he said. “Normally, that’s what leaders do; I always take bullets for everyone. But make no mistake, don’t misunderstand – we take responsibility for what we do on the field.

“Obviously he’s trying to do his best, we’re trying to do our best. But that’s the kind of connection we need to have, with the players and the manager, and we have a good link with him. And he’s been an amazing manager in terms of trying to get us back on top.”

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How “grafter” Dalot is starting to be Manchester United’s top right back

(Michael Steele/Getty Images)