Since returning from a loan spell with Italian giants AC Milan, Diogo Dalot earned his first start in Manchester United's disappointing 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat.

The 22-year-old arrived as a teenager from Porto in 2017, intending to become the long-term right-back at United after a promising spell in Portugal. Unfortunately, life in Manchester has not gone as well as he would have liked, struggling to hold down the spot before eventually being replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

However, Dalot is fresh from a successful season in Serie A, where he helped Milan reach the Champions League for the first time since the 2013/14 season, an astonishing statistic for one of Europe's biggest clubs. He also played a role in Portugal's Euro 2020 campaign, owing to first-choice right-back Joao Cancelo suffering from COVID-19 shortly before the first match. He came off the bench in the final group game against Hungary, replacing Wolves defender Nelson Semedo.

And the two-time Portugal international has explained what he feels he has learnt during his spell in Milan and how his lessons in Italian football can prepare him for life back in the Premier League.

"I feel very, very good and with lots of energy. I'm excited to start playing, and I'm ready to help the team," Dalot told United's in-house club media.

"That's why I'm here, and that's my job, to be prepared to play. I'm fighting for that, and that's why I stayed, to be ready to play and help the team.

"I think [the loan spell at Milan] was very important in terms of confidence and game time. I was the only player who was available for every game through the season, and that's an extra thing for me that I didn't have in the two seasons before that.

"I feel very energetic, fit and more mature – that's the big point for me, and I'm ready to show everyone what I can do."

When asked if he felt there was anything, in particular, he learnt from Italian football — which has a reputation for being the most defensive and tactically disciplined of Europe's major leagues — Dalot feels he has become more adaptable.

He said: "You learn a little bit of everything, not just because it's a different culture and a different league and different people – there are always learning points, not just football-wise but outside football too.

"But on the football side, I've experienced very different ways of playing in the Premier League and in Italy – it's a different style of playing, and I adapted to that. I think I've learnt a lot of things that can help me succeed this year."

By the time Cristiano Ronaldo had agreed to re-join United, Dalot had already committed to trying his hand at United for at least another season. And Ronaldo's fellow countryman has a message on what United fans can expect from the 36-year-old during his second stint.

"It's fantastic not just for me to have Cristiano here, but for everyone. He gives so much energy to everyone, and he's been fantastic," he started.

"I texted him and congratulated him about coming back as soon as it was confirmed. He said how happy he was to be part of this club again. He wants to help the team, and that's what we want, and he's been doing that already.

"I think fans can expect the same Cristiano as always. To be here winning what he has won and playing like he is playing, you can expect the best. We are here to help him, and he is here to help us as well, and I think everything combined, we can do great things."

The young right-back has had the experience of witnessing Ronaldo in training at the club and national level. During this time, Dalot has learned a lot from Ronaldo's application and determination to succeed at all times.

When asked what he admires most about Ronaldo, Dalot replied: "I think it's the way he conducts himself and prepares himself for the games.

"Obviously, now watching that closely, it's another level, and it's special to combine the way you saw him before [he came back] and now you can see him behind the scenes as well and combine everything.

"It's amazing to have that energy and that mentality also in the dressing room. I think he brings everybody up, and I think that's so positive for us."