Diogo Dalot has insisted that Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand played a key role in allowing him to show his true and authentic self to Red Devils supporters.
Former TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand linked up with Portugal international Diogo Dalot for a podcast chat on his ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ brand in February.
Dalot, who has been criticised by United fans in the past, was forthcoming with his views on his playing career and even the reign of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old Portuguese right-back has been a key United first-team star and is the second-longest-serving Red Devils player in the squad behind Luke Shaw.
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Diogo Dalot before the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2026 in Liverpool, England.
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Diogo Dalot explains the dynamic that Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand offered him on his podcast appearance
Rio Ferdinand left his punditry role with TNT Sports at the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season and focused on building his YouTube and podcasting brand.
The 47-year-old former Manchester United defender has interviewed several different ex-Red Devils players, including Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones.
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Diogo Dalot admitted that he never had the sense that he was doing an interview with Ferdinand when he crossed paths with him on the United legend’s podcast.
The United and Portugal defender revealed that Ferdinand was the “difference” in the approach, which allowed him to express his true feelings across different topics.
“It was a nice chat,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“That’s the difference, you don’t feel like you’re in an interview.
“When it’s like that, you feel more comfortable and you’re not thinking about what you have to say. So yes, he gets credit for that.”
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What are the biggest POSITIVES about Diogo Dalot’s game?
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Diogo Dalot rebuilds his confidence as a Man Utd player in the post-Ruben Amorim era of the Premier League club
Dalot talked up the importance of Ruben Amorim at Man Utd after the 41-year-old Portuguese coach was sacked by the Premier League club in January.
Despite his praise for former United manager Amorim, Dalot did face a real test in winning fans over with his performances under his fellow countryman at the club.
The Portugal international found himself playing as an inverted wing-back in Amorim’s polarising tactical system in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
However, Dalot has been able to adapt back to his preferred right-back role in the Man Utd starting XI since Michael Carrick was appointed interim head coach.
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