Diogo Dalot has spoken honestly about the pain of watching Manchester City’s recent success, the pressure that comes with playing for Manchester United, and his determination to help bring the club back to the top of English and European football.
In an interview with ESPN, as reported by Tribuna, the Portuguese full-back reflected on his time at Old Trafford and the challenges the team has faced.
On Manchester City’s Dominance
Dalot admitted that seeing Manchester City win trophies has been difficult. “I won’t say it wasn’t painful, because it really was,” he said. “There were seasons when we couldn’t even compete with them. It’s painful to say that.”
He added, “I want to be part of the team that brings Manchester United back to the top, because that’s what I saw from this club while I was growing up. They were winning, competing, and had the best players in the world, and I want to be part of that.”
Commitment to the Club
Dalot emphasised his long-term commitment to United. “I can’t speak for everyone, but what I try to do with myself is think about what I want to achieve and where I want to go,” he explained. “When I signed for the club, I didn’t do it thinking I would leave after two or three years. I signed because this is the best place I could be. You become part of a club that can be the biggest in the world.”
He also spoke about the responsibility that comes with experience. “When I arrived, there were a few players who had been here for a long time, and they helped me understand things. Sometimes you go through a difficult period, but it’s not as bad as you think. And sometimes people misunderstand criticism—it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes criticism is constructive, and you have to take some responsibility.”
Dalot believes his role now includes helping younger players navigate the pressures of playing for United. “I think being here for this long makes me feel that it’s my responsibility sometimes to try to help players understand that things aren’t as bad as they think, and sometimes not as good as they think. I feel that should definitely be one of my roles now.”
The Impact of the Manchester Derby
Reflecting on what he has learned, Dalot highlighted how derby matches can change the course of a season. “What I’ve learned during my time here is that these matches change the shape of seasons,” he said. “We saw an example last season when we were going through a very bad period, then the match against Manchester City came and gave us the confidence to go on a run of games and win one after another.”
He continued, “This season we haven’t got the points we perhaps should have got and wanted, but these matches can give you that spark that makes you feel you can really move forward. There’s no other match we’d rather play right now than this one.”
Ambitions for the Future
Dalot is clear about his goals. “For me, the objective is to win the Premier League and the Champions League,” he stated. “If you look at my time here, you won’t find a single time when we actually competed for the Premier League title until May, reaching the final rounds in the heart of the competition.”
He added, “Maybe it would be the greatest achievement of my life to be part of something that brings this club back to competing for those trophies, because, frankly, that’s where this club should be.”
Dalot concluded, “I know that if we reach that stage and become close, I believe we will create something around the club. That’s what gives me the most motivation—to do everything I can to be part of that, and I hope we reach that moment.”