Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Man United's Jose Mourinho: 'Everybody could see the potential' of Diogo Dalot

BERN, Switzerland -- Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United may have found their right-back for the next decade after Diogo Dalot starred on his debut.

United defeated Young Boys 3-0 at Stade de Suisse in their Champions League opener, which was Dalot's first senior-team appearance after recovering from surgery on his right knee in May.

"For Diogo, it was his first match after knee surgery -- a very good, solid performance," Mourinho said at a news conference. "Everybody could see the potential and he is a 19-year-old player who has more than 10 years to play for Manchester United."

The result meant United have recorded three straight wins for the first time since April and ensured they bounced back after back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.

"My teammates helped me so much," Dalot said. "I think I played good. I'm happy for the debut and the win is most important. The guys helped me to be comfortable in the game, I'm so thankful for that and it was a good win."

United have a chance to continue their momentum against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday before hosting Derby County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

"After two defeats, three matches away, three victories, I don't say phenomenal performances, solid performances and let's go back home Saturday," Mourinho said. "I'm happy. I understand the reasons why we didn't start the game very well, why we took 20, 25 minutes to be in control.

"The goal changed everything and after that we were totally in control so important for us to start [in the Champions League] with the victory."

Paul Pogba had two goals in the first half and an assist for Anthony Martial after the break. It took Pogba's tally to four -- just two behind his total for last season -- but Mourinho insisted the goals are a bonus.

"I don't think he can score goals every match, but if he starts arriving in possible scoring positions, that can be a plus for the team, so I'm happy with that," Mourinho said. "The team had good stability in midfield to allow him to go to these kind of positions and I'm happy with the good solid performance of the team more than any individual.

"We knew we needed to win this match and to go the next three matches against Valencia and Juventus twice with three points and we did it."

Mourinho expressed concerns about the playing field at Stade de Suisse before the game and reiterated his dissatisfaction afterward.

"I don't understand how you can play the best club competition on artificial pitch," he said. "You know, [you] probably some fear injuries. I had some players after training yesterday -- light training -- and they were feeling ankles, back pains, sore.

"It's not easy, especially not for people who are not adapted to it. Also, a little bit of a fear in the duels. People are used to great surfaces in England, always watered if not rain -- the clubs they provide the water and the football is much more beautiful that way."

Dalot believes Juventus and Valencia, also in United's group, will struggle to adapt to the playing surface.

"Young Boys are used to playing on this pitch but in England, we don't," Dalot said. "It will be tough for other teams coming here."

Information from Reuters was used in this report. 

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