Why Manchester United’s Locker Room Is at Odds Over Music

By VirentaNews Staff — May 09, 2026

Inside the hushed, carpeted corridors of Carrington, Manchester United’s training complex, the sound of laughter and thumping bass often spills from the dressing room before and after training. On any given day, Diogo Dalot can be found hunched over his phone, scrolling through playlists, curating the soundtrack to the team’s routine. For Dalot, music isn’t just background noise—it’s a lifeline to home, a bridge between cultures, and a way to amplify camaraderie. But as the Portuguese full-back beams with pride over his self-appointed role as the squad’s DJ, not every player is dancing to the same beat. In a quiet corner, Casemiro frowns at the pulsing rhythms of Brazilian funk and pagode, while some English players exchange bemused glances, longing for a familiar chorus from Stormzy or Arctic Monkeys. The locker room, meant to be a unified sanctuary, has become an unexpected battleground of sound and sensibility.

The Soundtrack of a Squad in Transition

Diogo Dalot has officially claimed the mantle of Manchester United’s musical director, a role he wears with visible pride. Known for his upbeat demeanor and infectious energy, Dalot sees music as more than entertainment—it’s a tool for connection. “Music is a huge part of my life,” he once said in an interview. “I think I can connect with everyone in the locker room” through it. His playlists lean heavily into Brazilian rhythms, reflecting his time playing for AC Milan and his deep cultural ties to the sounds of Rio and São Paulo. From funk carioca to samba-infused pagode, Dalot’s selections aim to energize, inspire, and occasionally provoke. But as the beats echo off the tiled walls, reactions are split. While some younger players, particularly those with international backgrounds, nod along, others—including senior figures like Casemiro—admit they’re not sold. “Diogo controls the music, Brazilian funk, pagode… The English lads don’t really like it,” Casemiro admitted. “Me too, I don’t like it that much, personally.”

How the Beat Came to Dominate the Dressing Room

The tradition of a team DJ is hardly new in professional football. From Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, where Xavi and Iniesta set the tone with Catalan pop, to Liverpool’s Anfield dressing room where Mohamed Salah listens to Arabic pop, music has long served as a cultural bridge and mood-setter. At Manchester United, the role has rotated over the years—Rio Ferdinand once controlled the aux with Britpop and R&B, while Wayne Rooney preferred grime and rock. In recent seasons, as the squad has grown more international, so too has the sonic landscape. Dalot, arriving in 2018 and rejoining permanently in 2022, found his niche not just on the pitch but in the playlist. With Erik ten Hag encouraging team bonding and cultural exchange, Dalot’s musical curation was quietly endorsed as part of a broader effort to build unity. Yet, while the manager may appreciate the intent, the execution has exposed subtle rifts—between generations, nationalities, and personal tastes.

The Players Behind the Playlist

Dalot, a 24-year-old right-back with a flair for the dramatic both on and off the pitch, thrives on expression. Growing up in Portugal with Brazilian roots, he was immersed in a blend of Iberian and South American culture, with music as a constant companion. For him, sharing his soundtrack is an act of authenticity, not imposition. “It’s about showing who I am,” he’s said. “And learning who others are.” Casemiro, on the other hand, brings a more reserved energy. The Brazilian midfielder, seasoned from years at Real Madrid and the national team, values routine and quiet focus before matches. While he respects Dalot’s enthusiasm, he’s candid about his preference for silence—or at least quieter rhythms. Meanwhile, English players like Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford have been spotted using noise-canceling headphones, a silent protest against the relentless beat. Yet, even critics acknowledge the role music plays in team cohesion—when the tune is right.

Harmony and Discord in the Dugout

The musical divide at Manchester United may seem trivial, but it reflects broader dynamics within modern football squads. As clubs become increasingly globalized, with players from over a dozen nations often sharing a locker room, cultural integration is both a challenge and an opportunity. Dalot’s playlist, while polarizing, forces engagement—players ask about the lyrics, the artists, the dances. Some have even begun to appreciate the energy of funk carioca, a genre born in Rio’s favelas and now pulsing through the veins of United’s training ground. Yet, there’s a fine line between cultural sharing and cultural dominance. When one player controls the sound, it risks alienating others, especially in high-pressure environments where comfort and familiarity matter. For a team still searching for consistent form, the last thing needed is another source of tension—even if it’s just a backbeat.

The Bigger Picture

What happens in the dressing room often foreshadows what happens on the pitch. Music, seemingly incidental, can shape mood, momentum, and morale. At its best, it unites; at its worst, it divides. The debate over Dalot’s playlist isn’t really about pagode or funk—it’s about inclusion, identity, and the delicate balance of power in a collective space. As football evolves into a truly global sport, these micro-cultures will only grow more pronounced. The challenge for managers and players alike is not to silence difference, but to harmonize it.

So, what comes next? Perhaps a rotating DJ system, where each player gets a turn to shape the soundscape. Or maybe a curated hybrid playlist, blending Manchester grit with Rio heat. One thing is certain: as long as Diogo Dalot has a phone and a charger, the beat will go on—even if some cover their ears.

Source: Ge