Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo told him not to worry about a Manchester United player he previously doubted.
Ferdinand watched on as United defeated Aston Villa 2-1 on Sunday in what could be a crucial victory in their race to finish in the top four places of the Premier League.
Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring from close range in the first half, before Douglas Luiz equalised for the hosts on 66 minutes.
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Villa were then in the ascendency and looked more likely to win the match at that stage, but Diogo Dalot's superb cross found the head of substitute Scott McTominay to restore United's advantage.
Dalot is one player who has had his detractors at United - particularly defensively - but his assist proved his importance ot Erik ten Hag's side.
His early-season form in the last campaign earned him a long-term contract extension, and Ferdinand has revealed how he himself doubted Dalot before speaking to Ronaldo.
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Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand explained: "I remember speaking to Cristiano Ronaldo and [I] said, 'Is he really that good?'
"Cristiano said that he will work hard, make himself better and 100 per cent improve. He saw it behind the scenes so he knew that.
"I said to Darren Fletcher when I was at the training ground other day that he has really impressed me. Darren said that he is a worker, he is going to make himself the player he needs to be.
"I still think defensively, he probably needs to work a little bit. But [on Sunday vs Villa] I thought he was very good defensively."
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Speaking in his now infamous 2022 interview with Piers Morgan, which led to his exit from United, Ronaldo reserved special praise for Dalot when talking about the attitudes of players at the club.
"At Manchester United, I can mention Diogo Dalot - he is very professional. I have no doubt he is going to have longevity in football. [Lisandro] Martinez, Casemiro as well... I will say Dalot."
Over a year on, and it looks like his words have been proven correct.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United, Premier League, Aston Villa