‘Be careful’: Diogo Dalot fires back at Man United legends, asks them to show ‘some responsibility’

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has delivered a pointed message to several former club legends amid growing criticism of the current squad.

Icons such as Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt have publicly questioned the standards of the present group throughout the season.

While robust analysis is part and parcel of modern football discourse, some of the recent remarks have carried an edge that feels more personal than purely professional.

In conversation with Rio Ferdinand, Dalot admitted that players are fully aware of the criticism directed their way and gently urged former stars to recognise the weight their words carry.

He told the former defender (via Rio Ferdinand Presents): “Players can get too much affected by it. That’s why I also agree that you have some responsibility to be careful with what you say.

“They are entitled to their opinion. If they think that ‘you are not good enough for Man United’ but then it is on you to show that you can do it.”

Scholes and Butt targeted Lisandro Martinez before the Manchester derby.

The Argentine defender had only just returned from a prolonged injury layoff, desperate to rebuild rhythm and confidence.

Unfortunately, the two legendary midfielders made fun of his height and described him as a little toddler in comparison with Man City striker Erling Haaland.

Martinez responded with an assured display at the back, nullifying any threat posed by Haaland.

Rather than retracting their comments after the game, Scholes and Butt doubled down and refused to soften their stance.

Dalot also revealed how the 28-year-old centre-back reacted internally to the noise.

He said: “Licha, this gives him more energy. He’s like ‘haha, okay’. In the week, he was very calm, really relaxed and you see how he played the next game against City.”

Benjamin Sesko produced a stunning equaliser in the 1-1 draw against West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Yet even that moment of quality was met with cold analysis, as Keane bluntly dismissed the strike by stating that scoring goals is simply part of the job.

For emerging talents like Sesko, such cutting assessments can either forge resilience or dent confidence.

Unfortunately, we do not see any of these former players changing their tone for the good of the club.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .