Manchester United insiders have spotted how one emerging first-team leader has altered his entire ‘dedication’ thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s knock-on effect, according to stunning reports.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell with Manchester United came to an end in 2022 after the club legend’s fractured relationship with former manager Erik ten Hag.
The 40-year-old Portuguese forward’s contract with United was terminated in 2022 after Ronaldo’s bombshell interview with Piers Morgan about the Red Devils.
Ronaldo left Old Trafford for the second time in his legendary career and the United legend completed a blockbuster transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on a free.
The former Juventus and Real Madrid superstar has since ascended to the captaincy at the Saudi Pro League club and Ronaldo inked a new deal with Al Nassr in June.
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Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo looks on prior to the Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal vs Al Nassr in the Kingdom Arena in 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
What Man Utd insiders have spotted about Diogo Dalot at Old Trafford after playing with Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo
Diogo Dalot has shared the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and the 26-year-old Manchester United defender has continued to play with him for Portugal.
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The Manchester Evening News reported that Diogo Dalot is now part of a key six-man leadership team for Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim at the Premier League club.
Dalot has been Ruben Amorim’s preferred pick for right wing-back in the 40-year-old United manager’s system and has remained an influential presence in the team.
The newspaper reported that a source revealed that the Portugal international ‘took every’ positive ‘trait’ that he could from playing alongside United legend Ronaldo.
According to the MEN, the source added that Dalot’s work ethic stands out thanks to Ronaldo’s influence and the defender has ‘further enhanced his dedication.’
Dalot has hailed Ronaldo’s influence on him in the past and the United and Portugal right-back has taken measures to improve his conditioning even off the pitch.
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Man Utd sources highlight visible changes in Diogo Dalot that is similar to what Cristiano Ronaldo does
The MEN explained that United sources have told the publication that Diogo Dalot is now ‘much leaner’ and ‘chiselled’ compared to his arrival from Porto in 2018.
The publication even spotlighted that the former Porto defender’s off-field improvements include the use of a private chef to help him manage his meals.
Dalot fell out of favour in the United first team under Red Devils legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Portugal international was loaned out for the 2020-21 season.
However, the arrival of Erik ten Hag at United allowed Dalot to dethrone Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the right-back slot and he established himself as the first choice for the role.