Ruben Amorim creates Man Utd 'fight club' as Diogo Dalot speaks out

Ruben Amorim has instilled a 'Fight Club' mentality at Manchester United as he attempts to lift them from rock bottom following their disastrous Premier League campaign.

United concluded last season languishing in 15th position, their poorest league showing for five decades, and were denied European football after losing to Tottenham in the Europa League.

Against this bleak backdrop, wounded United have reached their nadir since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, when he guided the club to their final league triumph.

The rebuilding mission commenced with Amorim banishing five players - Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malaica - to a 'bomb squad' training separately from the main squad.

Rashford secured a season-long loan switch to Barcelona, whilst the remaining quartet were left behind as Amorim took his squad across the Atlantic to forge stronger relationships and continue their renaissance.

In America, United have appeared transformed from last season's shambles, with players displaying greater sharpness, desire and dedication, prioritising collective success over individual gain.

Victories against West Ham and Bournemouth, the latter a convincing 4-1 triumph, have hinted that United will pose a threat next season, a sentiment backed by defender Diogo Dalot.

"I think straight away it's the connection between the players," said Dalot. "I think we're now creating a group that fights for each other. I think that's what we're trying to create. Obviously, there's still a long way to go. I'm not going to say perfect because it's difficult, but that's where we want to go, towards perfection.

"But obviously, I think you can see straight away, some signs of the team fighting a bit more, having more intensity and that's what we're trying to do. I think Ruben is really good as a manager in terms of trying to take the best out of you.

"He's very clear in his messages that you want to be a part of the team or you cannot be here. If you want to be at Manchester United, you need to match some standards. If you're not able to match it, it's not a place for you. The message is really clear.

"If you started pre-season, it's because he believes that we're the group that needs to come. Obviously, we had players coming in, which is always amazing. You can feel straight away that they match those standards. We're really happy with how things are going, but we're not going to get carried away by the results of what we're doing. It just has to give you motivation that when you do things right, you get the results."

Despite such a promising pre-season campaign as part of the Premier League's Summer Series, Dalot recognises United's squad cannot afford to become complacent.

They face a demanding opening to the new campaign, welcoming Arsenal for their first match and local adversaries Manchester City three fixtures later, followed by Chelsea and champions Liverpool in rapid succession.

However, there is fresh optimism surrounding United during pre-season, enhanced by captain Bruno Fernandes turning down a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League and pledging his future to the club.

"I think it's a clear message that he still believes that this club can go to the places that it should be," said Dalot.

"I don't think there's a better way of starting a season than your captain staying and believing that this can go in the right direction. It's a clear message for the other team-mates, for everybody, that we have to believe. We have to work really hard to put Manchester United back in the place it deserves."