Man United star admits he and his team-mates are having to ‘suffer’ during club’s restructure and dismal run of form – and calls for ‘consistency’ after woeful 3-0 defeat by Tottenham

A Manchester United star has admitted he and his team-mates are silently ‘suffering’ amid the club’s dismal form and restructuring behind the scenes. 

Erik ten Hag‘s side are 13th in the Premier League and have lost three of their opening six matches, the latest a 3-0 hammering by Tottenham at Old Trafford. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made plenty of changes since taking control of footballing affairs in December, introducing a new raft of executives, introducing radical stadium proposals, cutting staff, and changing work conditions and allowances. 

All of this, alongside the relentless speculation over Ten Hag’s future, has left the squad feeling disoriented. 

Diogo Dalot said: ‘I feel that there is a restructuring at the club, which is good, but during this process we have to suffer.

They are off to their joint-worst Premier League start amid a turbulent restructure 

Erik ten Hag’s future is the subject of constant speculation, particularly after United looked to replace him over the summer 

‘It’s a daily job, we have to train well and recover well. There are ups and downs that football brings us, but the more balanced we are as a club and as athletes, the more successful we will be. 

‘It is normal to go through a period of reflection and analyse what was done, good and bad. There is always a 24-hour period to switch off and start thinking about the next match. 

‘There are different matches and different opponents and we have to change the chip to be better physically and mentally.’

Dalot has been with United since 2018 and has had to cope with plenty of change in that time – Ten Hag is his fifth boss at Old Trafford if you include three-game caretaker Michael Carrick. 

Could he be part of delivering stability? He was named United’s player of last season and reflected with A Bola on the captaincy: ‘It’s something that is within me, this ability to be among an important group of players in a squad. It’s something that will come naturally, but I want to help my teammates whenever I can. 

‘I’m one of the oldest players in the squad and it’s part of having to convey the experience I have at the club. If it happens, I will be delighted.

‘It (the players’ player of the year award) was very special. All awards are important, but this one is special because it came from those who share every moment with me. They are my second family. I share the battlefield with them and that gives me confidence.

‘It’s a daily job, which I don’t just do for myself, but also for them, for the team. It is a recognition that keeps me grounded and gives me the confidence to continue, but it also increases the demands, and this consistency is what I want to bring throughout the rest of my career.’

Dalot admitted he would be ‘delighted’ to take on the captaincy to try and bring ‘consistency’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made lots of changes since taking control of footballing matters at United

With two wins, one draw, and three defeats, United have matched their abysmal start to the 2013-14 season under David Moyes. 

Ten Hag has insisted he is ‘not anxious’ about losing his job while United’s hierarchy have given him their vote of confidence for now. 

However, he has taken unrelenting flak from pundits, with Gary Neville branding their performance against Tottenham ‘disgusting’ while Alan Shearer labelled them ‘b****y awful’.

‘It’s not as bad as I initially thought but it sums up United in the first half who have been an absolute disgrace,’ Neville ranted on Sky Sports. 

‘Probably one of the worst halves I’ve seen under Ten Hag and that’s saying something.

‘[Ten Hag] can’t believe what he’s watching. I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s awful. It really is bad.

‘I’m not even talking about scoring goals, I’m talking about the basics. They look shot to pieces, the lot of them.

‘I suspect there were better Sunday league teams this morning than what we’ve seen from United this first half. Pub football.’