Diogo Dalot says the level of support Manchester United receive even when they are doing badly surprised manager Ruben Amorim who has reminded players how lucky they are to have it.
It has been a very difficult time for Amorim since he took over as Red Devils boss, with his side languishing down in 13th in the Premier League table.
Their hopes of silverware are still alive in the FA Cup and Europa League, but with more defeats than wins in their league campaign, there has been little to suggest they are ready to lift any trophy.
Dalot says that the support from the Manchester United fans has been close to unwavering, even in this terrible spell for them, and it has not gone unnoticed.
The Portugal international reckons it’s a scenario almost unique to the Red Devils and his manager has tried to make sure his players are aware of that.
‘I never saw a big team losing the amount of games that we lost, and still having people after the game, looking at your face and [saying] “Come on, let’s go” and clapping and giving you energy,’ Dalot told club media.
‘In other countries, you don’t have that luck. And, sometimes, what can happen is that players and the club can take that for granted. So I think that’s one of the things that he [Amorim] noticed straight away. He made sure that we could feel that as well, in terms of: “Listen, you don’t know how lucky you are – losing a game and still having [support].”
‘I remember we lost 4-0 at [Crystal] Palace last year and everybody – I don’t know how many fans were there, I expect 2,000 fans – still trying to motivate you and clap you after. That doesn’t happen, pretty much anywhere.
‘I think you realise that it’s something that he was not used to, and it’s something that is good in my opinion. He made us sure that know we are lucky to have the support that we have. I think it’s the soul of the club.’
Amorim himself has made the point, thanking the travelling United fans after a 1-0 win at Fulham last month.
‘They deserve [the win],’ Amorim told TNT Sports. ‘It’s amazing. It’s not normal. I know you guys are used to this environment here, but it’s not normal, so congratulations to our fans.
‘It’s a big privilege to work in this club and give them wins. We want to give them wins, and today we did it.
‘We need to improve a lot, and we are going to do that.’
