DALOT: WE'RE GETTING BETTER
Diogo Dalot believes Manchester United are on the right path, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, their 13th loss of a challenging Premier League season. Ruben Amorim’s side were unable to capitalize on moments of dominance during Tuesday's game, which was decided by a brilliant solo goal from former United academy player Anthony Elanga.
The defeat leaves United in 13th place in the Premier League standings, with eight matches remaining. The team is now just one loss away from matching their record of Premier League defeats in a single season, which was set under Erik ten Hag last year. However, Dalot remains optimistic, citing the side’s efforts to adapt to Amorim’s tactical approach. Despite the result, he believes the performance was a step in the right direction.
“We did enough to win the game,” Dalot said. “It shows our fighting spirit and how much we want to change the situation. We don't want to be in this position, especially in the Premier League. If we want to be competitive in the future, we need to start behaving and performing like this. The results will come if we continue in this way.”
Dalot emphasized the importance of consistency and creating positive habits to help the team recover from a tough season. “We still have to suffer a little bit, but in terms of improving and getting out of this situation, I think we are on the right track,” he added.
With just eight games left in the league, Dalot is focused on turning the improvements into tangible results, starting with Sunday’s crucial Manchester derby against rivals Manchester City. The right-back is eager to bounce back from their recent defeat and is confident the team can deliver a strong performance. "I don't think there's much to say, it's a derby," Dalot said ahead of the game. "We have to win it, especially in front of our fans. The atmosphere will be unbelievable, and I’m really excited."
United’s immediate priority is to regain some momentum with a win over City, before turning their attention to their upcoming Europa League quarter-final clash against Lyon in France next Thursday. Dalot’s determination to end the season on a high reflects the team's desire to close out the campaign strongly.
For Forest, the mood is equally positive, as they head into Saturday's match against Aston Villa with renewed confidence after a thrilling 1-0 win over United. Elanga’s stunning winner was the highlight of a game in which Forest dug deep to secure victory despite a physically demanding week. Elanga, who was delighted to score against his former club, credited the team’s resilience and the support of the fans for their victory.
“It’s important for us to rest and recover,” Elanga said after the match. “It was a fantastic win, and we’re so thankful to the fans. They’re our 12th man, and it was important to have them here with us.”
Forest’s manager Nuno Espirito Santo has worked to foster a strong sense of unity within the squad. "We defend together, we attack together," Elanga said, emphasizing the collective effort required to continue their positive run.
With both teams facing crucial fixtures, the stage is set for an exciting weekend of Premier League action, with United desperate for a turnaround and Forest looking to build on their momentum.