Date: 10th September 2022 at 3:50pm
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Manchester United’s winning streak ended on Thursday, as The Red Devils succumbed to Real Sociedad in the opening group game of their Europa League campaign. 

Prior to the defeat at Old Trafford, United had won four games on the bounce, including victories over Liverpool and Arsenal.

Their strong run of form followed an appalling start to the season, as they lost to Brighton and Hove Albion on the Premier League’s opening weekend, and were then beaten 4-0 at Brentford the following Saturday.

The upturn in form appears to be linked to Erik ten Hag changing personnel across his backline, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw having been dropped following the defeat to The Bees.

One player that has started all six of United’s league matches so far this season is right-back Diogo Dalot, and the Portuguese has now made interesting admissions about his time at the club.

As per Metro, the full-back has revealed that he rejected a permanent move to Italian side AC Milan 18 months ago, having spent time with the club on loan.

“Milan are a great club and I loved the season with the Rossoneri,” he said.

“But it wasn’t just up to me. In the end I decided to stay at United and it was the right decision.”

Dalot has been a regular at right-back for United this season

“If I’m a better defender I owe it to Milan. Italian football is different from the Premier League and I had to adapt in just one year and playing in Serie A has helped me a lot.

“Over the past two years here in Manchester, the minutes have increased and, consequently, so has self-esteem.”

Dalot spent the 2020/21 season on loan with the Serie A side, and made 33 appearances for the club over the course of the campaign.

Having joined United from Porto in 2018, Dalot was largely used as backup for Antonio Valencia and then Aaron Wan-Bissaka during his first two seasons in England, before joining Milan on loan in 2020.

This season, though, the Portugal international has established himself as Ten Hag’s first choice right-back.

In total, the 23-year-old has made 72 appearances for The Red Devils, providing four assists and scoring on one occasion.

 
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