BREAKING NEWS: “What he showed yesterday proves he was the reason the board dismissed me. When I was there, he was playing against me, and now suddenly, he’s winning Man of the Match. This shows he didn’t have my best interests at heart while I was there,” Erik ten Hag disclosed, revealing the ONE Manchester United player he believes contributed to his departure – and it’s neither Casemiro nor Rashford.

Diogo Dalot expressed that Manchester United’s players showed a greater sense of determination in finishing their chances, which contributed to their 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, overseeing the team for the first time, United secured a spot in the quarter-finals with a commanding performance against Steve Cooper’s side. United led 4-2 by halftime, fueled by goals from Casemiro, who scored twice, Bruno Fernandes, and Alejandro Garnacho. Casemiro set the tone with a spectacular long-range shot to open the scoring.

Before halftime, Fernandes added another goal through a deflected free-kick, and later he struck again in the 59th minute to secure United’s fifth goal. This final goal came after Fernandes rounded Leicester’s goalkeeper, Danny Ward, and fired the ball into the net, ensuring the outcome was beyond doubt.

Dalot, who provided the assist for Garnacho’s goal, felt that he and his teammates were determined to capitalize on opportunities in the attacking third. Their proactive mindset aimed to start positively under Van Nistelrooy’s leadership and respond strongly after a challenging period.

Reflecting on the win, Dalot told MUTV, “I think it was the message that we wanted to send after a defeat and a tough week. That was the minimum we could show for ourselves and for our fans. I think they enjoyed tonight and we did as well. We scored a lot of goals, some good goals, and it was a good night at Old Trafford.”

Dalot, who had missed a critical chance in United’s recent 2-1 loss to West Ham United, acknowledged that missed opportunities had plagued the team’s season. He noted that United had often created enough chances to secure victories but lacked the necessary conviction in the final third.

He elaborated, “I think that summarised a little bit of this season. We were creating enough to score and win games; the difference was we probably had a little bit more determination inside the final third, believing that we were going to score. I think there was confidence that we were going to score.”

Dalot highlighted Casemiro’s opening goal as pivotal, helping to shift the team’s mindset and set the tone for the rest of the game. United scored some well-crafted goals throughout the match, though Dalot admitted that the two goals they conceded were preventable. Nonetheless, he felt it was a positive night for the team, and progressing in the competition lifted spirits.

In summary, Dalot viewed this match as a turning point, showcasing Manchester United’s renewed commitment to converting chances and securing wins. Their performance underscored a collective determination to overcome recent setbacks and instilled confidence as they move forward under Van Nistelrooy’s guidance.