Dalot: We're still alive for the second leg

A determined Diogo Dalot delivered a positive message for Manchester United fans after Wednesday night’s Champions League match against Barcelona at Old Trafford.

The Reds trail in the quarter-final tie after an unfortunate own goal from Luke Shaw, awarded by the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) following Luis Suarez’s header, which was initially ruled out by the Italian officials for offside.

The disappointing result was in spite of a spirited display from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the Norwegian’s first European match as the club’s permanent manager.

Dalot, who supported Luke Shaw on the left flank for much of the contest before being replaced by Jesse Lingard in the second half, spoke to MUTV after the game and remained upbeat about our chances of progressing to the semi-finals.

“I think we showed everyone that we could have got a better result and create chances to get goals,” the 20-year-old told Mark Sullivan. “I think everything is open for the second leg.”

Diogo had one of our better chances on the night when his header from Marcus Rashford’s inviting cross flashed across the face of goal in the first half.

Although he accepted he should have scored in that moment, the Portuguese youngster felt the Reds settled into the contest and showed glimpses of our capabilities.

“I can blame myself for not scoring the goal but I need to keep going because everyone misses chances,” Dalot insisted.

“I try my best to score the next opportunity but, like I said, it was not just about my miss – it was about the game we did and the way that we played.

“I think the first minutes were a little bit confused but then we settled in and we played like we needed to play – pressing high, pressing with everything and then trying to play in their half and create chances. That’s what we did but unfortunately we couldn’t score.”

After Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to West Ham, the Reds will travel to the Nou Camp for the second leg on Tuesday night, and a defiant Diogo feels we can head to Catalonia with plenty of optimism.

“I think we showed everyone that we’re not defeated with any kind of result,” Dalot added. “We’re Man United. With this club, anything is possible.

“We just need to score two goals – that’s the feeling, that’s the good vibe that we want to go there with and go through to the next round.”