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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Steven Railston

Diogo Dalot lifts lid on Cristiano Ronaldo's impact at Manchester United this season

Manchester United's Diogo Dalot has revealed he now drinks coffee because of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, 37, returned to United this summer and his presence meant the club's players changed their habits at Carrington.

Eric Bailly has confirmed that United's players stopped eating apple crumble and custard following Ronaldo's return to Manchester and it's also understood that the forward does extra gym work after training, despite being in the latter stages of his career.

Dalot is Ronaldo's fellow countryman and the pair are known to get along well on and off the pitch at United.

The full-back has consolidated himself as Ralf Rangnick's first-choice right-back ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka this term and he was recently asked about his preparation for matches, before revealing the impact that Ronaldo has had on his routine.

"I mean every player has their superstitions," Dalot United's in-house media.

"To be honest, I don’t have many so now I always, and it’s a fun story, before the games, when we’re at the hotel, I always drink my coffee with Cristiano. It’s been a routine now. He actually dragged me into the coffee because I was not a big fan of coffee.

"But now I’ve started doing that. Just to talk a little bit. Sometimes we have too much time in the hotel, so we get out of the room, just to talk a little bit and try to focus on the game.

"Obviously, I hear my music, do my preparations, whether it’s massages or it’s mobility work or stretches, and then be ready for the game.”

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