In youth football, coaches often talk about the “sink or swim” moment, when a promising young player is given the chance to perform on the biggest stage of their life so far, the pressure ratcheted up to levels beyond anything they’ve experienced before. For 25-year-old Diogo Dalot, that moment has arrived.

After making a high-profile move to Manchester United last summer while nursing an injury, the former Porto full-back faced numerous challenges during his initial months at Old Trafford. Dealing with one injury after another, his playing time was limited. Despite showing promise on the pitch, the team’s struggles led to the dismissal of his compatriot and signing manager, Jose Mourinho.

Now, playing under a manager deeply rooted in the club’s tradition of nurturing young talent, influenced by the greatest manager in its history, Portugal’s emerging talent is determined to emulate another United legend—can you guess who?—and establish himself in the Premier League.

Diogo, how have you found it adapting to the UK? What are the main differences you’ve noticed?

I think the passion, the way they live football here, the way they feel football here. That passion and that desire to come to the game. Full stadiums. For me it’s unbelievable. When you have the opportunity to play in places like that, such as Old Trafford, it’s amazing.

When you join a new club like Man United, is it a bit like starting a new school?

Yes. It was a new cycle, a new life. Because you come here, and you start living so many differences between what I had in Portugal and what I have here. It’s a different world completely. For me it was a new beginning. Of course I take everything I learned in Portugal and Porto, and that helped me so much to be in this position, and then just keep working and keep growing.

How would you describe your personality?

I’m just a normal guy. I try to keep humble, try to know that I’m just starting. I’m 19 years old, I’m not a made football player yet, and I need to grow up. I need to learn, to make mistakes and learn from them. I’m just starting. I played for a big club [in Porto], and now I’m in the best club in the world, so I need to know that, to work, and to be ready for it.

Who were your inspirations when you were growing up?

My answer will be a little bit shocking for everyone. [Laughs] No, I think it’s Ronaldo, for me was the main one. He was my idol since day one. Not because he’s Portuguese, or his style of playing, but for his hard work. When you think of an athlete, a complete athlete, a complete footballer, you need to choose Cristiano. For me, he was the main example to start playing football and, not to be like him because I want to do my own path, but to get to know [him] and see how he works is unbelievable.