The Man United leadership group has been revived by Ruben Amorim and six players are in it.
United players pose at the launch of their new Carrington hub
United players pose at the launch of their new Carrington hub
An unnamed Manchester United player has already had a "b********g" from Tom Heaton.
"Yes, but only naturally," Heaton laughed. "It's not just about delivering sort of b********gs as you put it. I think it's also about supporting people that need it, trying to make sure we're guiding it and channelling it in the right way."
Heaton, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are the three players part of the old United leadership group who are in the new one, revived by Ruben Amorim. Heaton, 40 next year, signed a one-year deal with United in June and remains one of the most prominent voices in the dressing room.
The newest members are Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui. It is a diverse blend of three 30-somethings and three players in their twenties, with four countries and three continents represented. The average age is just over 30.
"They are responsible for the group," Amorim explained. "There are some things that in the last year I had to deal with. I said to them this year, you deal with that. Small issues are with you guys. You are responsible. All these small changes, I think it's helping the group."
Heaton has a 14-year association with United through two separate stints and rejoined his boyhood club in 2021. "I think he (Amorim) feels quite strongly about having a group of players that have a strong influence on the dressing room," Heaton explained, "it provides a little bit of support to Bruno in that respect. That's how it came about and obviously honoured as ever to be part of that and try and have as much influence on it as I possibly can."
Dalot is the second-longest serving member of the United squad after Luke Shaw, into his 12th year at the club. Shaw was a member of the octet established by Erik ten Hag but started four games last season, three of them in May.
The MEN revealed last season Amorim gravitated towards Dalot and Fernandes. A natural development, given their shared nationality. Dalot is also fluent in four languages, which makes him one of the most approachable members of the squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned Dalot and Martinez among three teammates he admired at United in 2022. Casemiro, the third, was also added to the original leadership group by Ten Hag.
In 2024, Dalot emulated Ronaldo by becoming the United players' player of the year. A senior statesman of the squad, a polyglot, rarely injured and affable, it was easy to see why he got most teammates' vote.
Dalot was the United players' player of the year in 2024
Dalot was the United players' player of the year in 2024
Dalot had his squad number upgraded to '2' by Amorim in the summer and he captained United in the second half of their goalless draw with Leeds United in Stockholm last month. The irony is he is no longer a certain starter, with Amad the favoured option on the right wing to collaborate with Bryan Mbeumo.
Only one of the leadership group could feasibly start against Arsenal on Sunday - Fernandes. It is unlikely to cow the others in the dressing room.
"It obviously brings you even more responsibility," Dalot accepts, "but I think one of the reasons why that happened is because of the way I am.
"So I try to be the same person, but obviously it brings you even more responsibility because we're talking about a very good group of players with different personalities that I think we can try to create a culture where we demand the maximum from our teammates, from ourselves as well.
Fernandes and Dalot are club and international teammates
Fernandes and Dalot are club and international teammates
"But we have to be the first ones to give the example. I think that's the best way that I like to lead also. We have to be the first ones to show to everyone where we want to put the club back on top and then try to put everyone in the same. Like we say in Portugal, everyone is in the same boat."
Dalot is close to Ronaldo and had Raphael Varane and Casemiro within earshot during United's successful 2022-23 season, three serial winners to look up to. His fitness is so renowned he has missed only 13 club games since he returned to United from a season-long loan at AC Milan in 2021.
A source said Dalot "took every good trait when playing with Cristiano and only further enhanced his dedication". Dalot wears leg compressors on long-haul flights to reduce any muscle soreness and maximise circulation.
Dalot is close to Ronaldo
Dalot is close to Ronaldo
Sources have pointed out how much leaner and chiselled Dalot now looks in contrast to his unveiling pictures in June 2018. Dalot, 19 at the time, was recovering from a meniscus injury that kept him sidelined for three months but he had a cherub face. Now he employs a private chef to prepare his meals at home.
Fernandes has only ever missed two United games through injury in five-and-a-half years. "He has the highest pain threshold I have ever encountered," a Carrington source said.
His influence remains profound. As recently as the 1-1 draw with Fiorentina on Saturday, Fernandes urged Patrick Dorgu to show more intensity in the 78th minute. A minute later, Dorgu was sprinting into the penalty area.
Fernandes rejected the chance to leave United
Fernandes rejected the chance to leave United
Amorim included Mazraoui - signed by Ten Hag - as "he's a character that I like". Mazraoui played in seven different positions last season and was rested for only two games.
Joshua Zirkzee enthused about how motivational a presence Martinez, sidelined since February 2 with a knee injury, has been in the treatment room. Martinez captained United in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Fenerbahce last year.
Maguire, stripped of the captaincy by Ten Hag in July 2023, pulled the armband back on for the first time under Amorim during the 4-0 thrashing of Everton on December 1. Maguire's form over the past two seasons, having seen a £30million transfer to West Ham United collapse, is testament to his resolve. He is now one of a handful of respectable signings in the post-Ferguson era.
Maguire pulled the armband back on last season
Maguire pulled the armband back on last season
United opened the doors to their renovated Carrington hub on Friday. Heaton, a veteran of training days at Lyttleton Road and The Cliff as a schoolboy, described the launch as "a moment in the club. Especially for us as players, we're in it all the time. So I think we can use that to go again and build and move it forward and making sure that all the lads are aligned with that."
Dalot is not as demonstrative as his compatriot Fernandes but is emboldened to pull players in line. "Of course, otherwise we couldn't be in that group," he said. "I think the decision was clear because obviously we're talking about six players with different personalities, but at the same time we need to start demanding more from each other, create this culture where when things are not going in the right direction, we have to be assertive and put it right.
"I think that's the only way to go to where we want to go."
Expect a few more b********gs.