Diogo Dalot has admitted dealing with injury setbacks has been the most difficult part of his time at Manchester United, although the defender believes stints on the sidelines have taught him a lot as a player.
Dalot was the first-choice right-back at the club at the start of the season and his performances were among the best in his position in the Premier League, but he sustained an injury at the World Cup and that impacted his form.
Since the resumption of club football, Dalot has been forced to fight Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a starting role. Erik ten Hag has said the pair are 'closely matched' and that has been reflected by his ever-changing preference at right-back.
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However, Dalot signed a five-year contract this week and after his deal was extended, he reflected on his journey in Manchester.
Dalot said he's learned a lot since first signing and he admitted injuries have taught him some important lessons about himself.
"I've learned a lot [since signing]," Dalot said. "I was a kid, not that I'm old now, but I was 19 years old, coming to a new country and league, meeting the biggest players in the world, so everything was 'wow and crazy', so big.
"Then you start to realise, to stay at this club, you have to be consistent, do your best every single day, otherwise, as we say in Portugal, you get swallowed by everything, by the pressure, the media, even by your teammates.
"You have to step up, grow in every aspect of the game and I think looking back, I'm proud of what I achieved, even if I had some doubts along the way. That's what has made for stronger mentally and physically to fight for this position.
"Obviously winning trophies is the biggest thing you can do for your club, but I look back at the most important moments for me and they have probably been my injuries when I have learned a lot when I've been out for a lot of time.
"Sometimes it's normal when you play football your head goes everywhere else, apart from where it should be. I always tried, with the help of my family, to keep on my path and most of all believing that I could play for the club.
"After the year in Italy [on loan], it was important for me to show I could do it and I'm happy that I have. When you play for Man United, the fans will expect you to fight for every trophy. That is the standard and what we're aiming for.
"We're in the right direction, we're not there yet, so that makes us know we still have room for improvement. We can see we're not yet the best version of ourselves and we have to look forward with excitement."
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