Rio Ferdinand changed his opinion of Manchester United star Diogo Dalot after Cristiano Ronaldo chat

Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo's backing of Diogo Dalot helped change his opinion of the Manchester United defender.

The right-back is currently in his sixth season at United after joining from Porto in 2018, with the current campaign arguably his best yet.

Dalot has made 30 starts for the club across all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting three others, including his fine cross for Scott McTominay's winner against Aston Villa.

Some fans have questioned his impact on the side since his arrival, with Ferdinand also one to doubt his quality at the club.

However, his opinion on the 24-year-old has seemingly switched with the aid of Dalot's fellow Portuguese international Ronaldo, with the pair making 53 appearances together for club and country.

Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel after the victory over Villa, Ferdinand said: "Dalot needs a special mention by the way because he's someone I doubted earlier.

"I remember speaking to Cristiano going, 'Is he really going to be any good?' And Cristiano said, 'Rio, he works, he'll work hard, he'll make himself better, 100 per cent he'll improve.'

"And he's obviously seeing it behind the scenes so he knows that, and I said to Darren Fletcher [United technical director], I was at the training ground the other day.

"I said, 'He's really impressed me,' and he was saying, 'Listen, he's a worker, he's going to make himself the player he needs to be.' I still think defensively he probably needs to work a little bit but yesterday defensively I thought he was very good.

"With the ball, that cross, if we have players running onto them crosses, then the forwards are going to make runs and they'll get more goals."

Dalot's impressive performances this season have seen him overtake Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the right-back pecking order at United, and he has failed to feature in just two games so far.

He committed his long-term future at Old Trafford by signing a new contract at the beginning of the summer until 2028.

However, Dalot could be set to face further competition at right-back next season, with the position 'provisionally targeted' for recruitment in the summer transfer window.

Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong was linked with a switch to the club last summer and could be eyed again in the coming months amid his success in their Bundesliga title-chasing campaign.