Diogo Dalot revealed how the squad are dealing with the managerial change following Manchester United’s defeat to Brighton, which saw them exit the FA Cup.
Manchester United exited the FA Cup at the third-round stage on Sunday afternoon, with a 2-1 defeat to Brighton seeing the Red Devils fall at the first hurdle of the competition. This leaves interim boss Darren Fletcher winless in his first two games in charge of the side.
The match had a chaotic start, with the visitors striking early through Brajan Gruda after pouncing on a Lisandro Martínez goal-line clearance. The visitors should’ve doubled their lead soon after going one-up, after a shaken Senne Lammens gifted Danny Welbeck a golden opportunity.
The first half ended 1-0 to The Seagulls, who were in control the majority of the match and managed to further their lead with 25 minutes remaining when former United striker Welbeck provided an excellent finish past Lammens into the top corner.
Benjamin Šeško pulled a goal back for United late on, with the squad mounting pressure on Brighton’s backline, and the Old Trafford crowd rallied behind the team. However, all momentum was nullified after academy product Shea Lacey received a second yellow card for throwing the ball away.
The match ended 2-1, which meant Manchester United had been knocked out of both domestic cups in the first round they were involved in.
"We have to adapt…” Diogo Dalot comments on squad morale following Ruben Amorim’s sacking
Diogo Dalot played the full 90 minutes at right-back, being beaten down his side of the pitch for Brighton’s first goal. The Portuguese defender spoke to the press after the game, giving his view on the result, “We created enough to win the game, to be honest. Then the red card gave us a disadvantage because we were on top of Brighton in the last moments.
Overall, very disappointed because we wanted to go through. All the lads kept trying to find spaces, like I said, really disappointed because I think we deserved to win.”
When asked how the side has dealt with the managerial change, Dalot said, “Really difficult. It’s always a period when you have to find ways to solve problems really quickly. We have to adapt and go again.”
The turbulent environment surrounding the club will not help the players’ morale or their performances on the pitch. The higher-ups at the club will need to decide on who they want to lead the club for the remainder of the season, with all eyes now set completely on the Premier League.
Players, staff and fans will all be hoping for a positive run of results in the league following this decision, as the club’s main objective now will be to achieve a top-four finish and clinch European football
How important is European football for Man Utd
Following their exit from the FA Cup, all of United’s resources can now be solely focused on the league in their bid to qualify for Champions League football. It will be a tough ask after only picking up three points in the last three league fixtures against relegation candidates.
Whether it is Ole Gunnar Solskjær or Michael Carrick at the helm, both will have to focus on boosting the dressing room morale and uniting the team as one.
As it has now been confirmed that United will only play 40 games this season, there is no excuse for fatigue or tiredness, and whoever takes charge at Old Trafford will have to drill in the message that European football is non-negotiable.
Brighton’s victory at Old Trafford may be a pivotal result, as it puts more pressure on the side to succeed in the Premier League, with it being the club’s last resort in their bid for European football to be played at Old Trafford next season.