‘Is he really that good?’ - Cristiano Ronaldo calmed concerns over Man Utd star that is about to hit 140 appearances for the Red Devils

Portugal international Dalot was taken to Old Trafford by fellow countryman Jose Mourinho in 2018 while still in his teens. He was considered to be a decent prospect for the future, with the versatile performer able to operate in either full-back berth.

Dalot struggled with various injuries early on, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was acquired as a big-money rival in United’s right-back berth, and he ended up joining AC Milan on loan in 2020-21. A permanent transfer was mooted at that point, but the 24-year-old returned to Old Trafford and has become a regular.

That has not stopped former United defender Ferdinand from asking questions of Dalot’s value to the cause, but a couple of fan favourites in Manchester have assured him that the Portuguese is a useful asset. Ferdinand has told his FIVE podcast: “Dalot needs a special mention. He is someone I doubted early on. I remember speaking to Cristiano Ronaldo and said, ‘Is he really that good?’ – and Cristiano said he will work hard, make himself better and 100 per cent improve. He saw it behind the scenes so he knew that. I said to Darren Fletcher when I was at the training ground the other day that he has really impressed me. Darren said that he is a worker, he’s going to make himself the player he needs to be. I still think defensively he probably needs to work a little bit. With the ball, if we have players running on to them, the forwards will make the runs and we will score more goals.”

Dalot’s next appearance for United will be his 140th for the club, as he closes in on six years of service as a Red Devils player. He signed a new contract last summer that is due to take in through to 2028, with there the option of a further 12-month extension beyond that point.