Diogo Dalot has picked his ultimate five-a-side team, choosing to leave out Marcus Rashford and select a surprising £58million flop.
The Man United defender, appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, was asked to choose his team based on stars he’s played with or against.
There was no room for Rashford, who shared a dressing room with Dalot for seven years and is currently on loan at Barcelona.
But Dalot, 26, did pick former Man United forward Anthony Martial and explained the £58m forward used to amaze him in training.
Dalot said: ‘It would be Chris (Ronaldo). And I’m going to put one more up front. I’m going to say Martial.
Ferdinand was surprised, asking: ‘Martial? I did not expect that. I know he’s got huge talent, but I didn’t… why Martial?
Rio Ferdinand (left) asked Diogo Dalot (right) about his ultimate five-a-side team
Dalot opted not to pick Marcus Rashford in his side and instead chose Anthony Martial
‘I’m going to say it because I’m going to combine what, obviously, he could do in games, but in training,’ the right-back explained.
‘And I played a lot against him, so it was really, really tough to play. And he was one of those that, if he had obviously a bit more consistency, sometimes he would disconnect a little bit from everything. But if he wanted, he could be the best player in the world. Easily.
Ferdinand then revealed Michael Carrick, current Man United interim manager, spoke incredibly highly of Martial when he signed.
‘You know, Carrick said to me when he first signed that Martial could win the Ballon d’Or,’ he said.
Dalot went on: ‘In training, he could do things that you’d say you had to stop training. You know, those moments where you say… you want to blow the whistle and say, “Okay, let’s go inside.” And I had a few. I remember Juan Mata also had those things of quality.
Martial signed for Man United from Monaco in 2015 but never fulfilled his potential at the club despite scoring 63 goals in 209 games before being shipped off on loan to Sevilla and then joining AEK Athens in 2024. The 30-year-old currently plays for Monterrey in Mexico.
Given Rashford failed to make the cut for Dalot’s side, Ferdinand went on to ask about the Englishman.
Dalot said: ‘Yeah, Rashford also. Rashford also. Rashford could be anything that he wants also. But I put Anthony (in the team) and I don’t put Rashford because, in training, at the top, Anthony was a little bit different. And he could do everything. Yeah, both ways.’
Of the other players in Dalot’s side, he said: ‘So, I would say, on the back line, Pepe.
The Man United defender has been at the club since 2018 and played with some top talents
Dalot said Martial (left) used to stun his team-mates with his ability in training
Ferdinand interjected: ‘Crazy guy. You know what I’ve realised? I was with him at the FIFA World Cup draw, he is a soft, mild-mannered guy outside, off the pitch. Outside. On the pitch, really good.
Dalot agreed: ‘The most lovely guy you can meet, and the way he speaks during the table is so humble, you know. But then he goes in, you would change. Even in training, it was… no, it was unbelievable to play with him.
‘I would say on the side, I’m going to put Bruno and Pogba in the middle. Pogba was one of those that… you know when you talk about: “Okay, very good players,” but then there’s what I call the tier one, that’s the… yeah, he was really good.
‘And it was so strange because he was so tall, big feet, you know, and having that… you know, sometimes the most quality players, they have small feet, they’re quick, they’re tiny. He was everything. He was tall, strong, he could do, he could do everything.
‘It was really good to play with him. And then he was very funny, you know. So, the whole package. So I’d say Bruno, Pogba.’
Of the players selected in Dalot’s team, only Bruno Fernandes is one of his current team-mates
Ferdinand asked: ‘And Bruno, would you say Bruno right now is the best player in the Premier League?
‘He’s definitely one of the best players in the league,’ Dalot said. ‘That’s factual. It’s not like: “Okay, you can give your opinion, you might like it or not” but it’s factual. If you don’t see it, it’s because you just don’t want it.’
Dalot has been a mainstay for United this season and made 163 appearances for the club in total. The Portuguese defender will next be in action for his side on their tricky away trip to face Everton on Monday night.
Head to the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel to watch the full interview
