Diogo Dalot made his Manchester United debut against Young Boys (Picture: Getty)
Jose Mourinho backed Diogo Dalot to play for Manchester United for the next ten years after finally making his debut for the club in the 3-0 victory over Young Boys.
Red Devils boss Mourinho opted to start Dalot in United’s Champions League opener and the 19-year-old defender justified his selection with an assured performance.
Paul Pogba scored twice for the visitors in the first half, before Anthony Martial put the game to bed with a 66th-minute strike.
‘I think Diogo and Luke [Shaw] played very well – our danger came from both,’ Mourinho said after the routine victory.
‘They had fantastic movement, depth, crosses, assists, involved in the most dangerous actions and defended very well.
‘Both played very well but of course Luke has been here for a few years, while it was Diogo’s first match for the club after knee surgery.
‘I think it was a solid performance – you could see his potential. He’s a 19-year-old defender with more than 10 years to play for Manchester United.’
Dalot was signed by Manchester United in the summer from Porto and says he is ‘hungry’ for more opportunities after making his competitive debut.
‘Yeah, [competition] is good. That’s good for the team, that’s competition, that’s what every player likes and my job is to make the coach a difficult,’ he told MUTV.
‘It felt good. It is like every player. When he makes his debut he wants to play, and I wanted to play very much.
Paul Pogba scored a brace for the Red Devils (Picture: Getty)
‘My teammates helped me to be comfortable when under pressure and that was good.
‘Now I’m ready to start my season. And I’m hungry for more.’
Manchester United legends Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes were both impressed with the teenager and backed him to enjoy a stellar career at Old Trafford.
Former United and England defender Ferdinand told BT Sport: ‘He will have tougher tests but as a young kid to come in, especially after an injury, is really promising.
‘Remember, he only played eight games for Porto. He’s going to have a good future if he keeps improving.’
Scholes added: ‘I think it’s a really good start from him. Going forward he looks fantastic. He looks quick enough. It’s a great start.’
Owen Hargreaves, meanwhile, said: ‘He’s a terrific crosser of the ball and technically he’s very good. For 19, he looks really good.’
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