Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot has admitted it is painful to watch rival Manchester City’s success, while warning his teammates that a losing habit threatens their ambitions this season. Speaking to ESPN and DAZN, the defender stressed that the club must return to winning trophies.
Manchester United’s slow start to the current campaign has brought underlying frustrations to the surface at Old Trafford. With just four points gathered from their opening three fixtures—consisting of a lone win alongside a draw and a defeat against Hull City, Ipswich Town, and Everton—the Red Devils are already fighting to regain momentum. Last time out against Everton, the team squandered their lead twice, turning what should have been a routine victory into a frustrating draw that left supporters feeling as though they had lost.
Diogo Dalot Confronts the Pain of Manchester City’s Dominance
Amid these early struggles, Portugal international Diogo Dalot offered a stark assessment of the club’s position relative to their cross-town rivals. Reflecting on years spent watching Manchester City lift trophies, the full-back acknowledged the heavy emotional toll it takes on everyone inside the club.
“I won’t say it hasn’t been painful, because it really has. There were seasons when we weren’t even able to compete with them. It’s painful to say that.”
Diogo Dalot, via ESPN
Dalot emphasized his lifelong admiration for the institution, noting that his motivation stems from wanting to restore the standards he witnessed growing up, when the club featured the best players in the world and routinely competed at the highest level.
Warning Against a Creeping Losing Habit at Old Trafford
Beyond the rivalry, Dalot turned his attention inward, addressing a dangerous attitude creeping into the squad. Speaking to DAZN, he pointed out that while the team created high expectations by reclaiming a winning mentality last season under Carrick, failing to secure results right out of the gate threatens to derail those aspirations.
“The big advantage we had last season was that we left a very positive impression, creating expectations among the fans and also among ourselves that, this year, we can compete. Obviously, when you have those expectations and then start in the worst possible way, it’s disappointing, especially for the fans. In football, winning and losing are part of the game, but we’re at a club where that cannot become the norm. Manchester United was built to compete for and win trophies, and we know that, to be here, we have to win as many games as possible.”
Diogo Dalot, via DAZN
While United have often dominated the flow of play, they have repeatedly failed to convert strong performances into decisive victories. Dalot and his teammates know that commanding displays mean little without the ruthlessness and bite required to close out matches.
Leadership Role and the Ultimate Goal of Premier League Glory
Having spent several seasons at Old Trafford, Dalot views it as his personal responsibility to guide newer and younger squad members through difficult patches. He noted that early struggles feel magnified to those experiencing them for the first time, and that constructive criticism is a necessary part of shouldering club responsibilities.
Looking at the broader picture, Dalot maintains lofty ambitions for his time in Manchester, stating clearly that his ultimate aim is to lift the Premier League and Champions League trophies.
“For me, the goal is to win the Premier League and the Champions League. If you look at my time here, you won’t find a single occasion when we actually competed for the Premier League title until the month of May, and reached the final rounds while being in the heart of the contest. It would perhaps be the greatest achievement of my life to be part of something that brings this club back to competing for those titles, because, quite frankly, this is where this club should be.”
Diogo Dalot, via ESPN
As the squad prepares for upcoming fixtures, Dalot believes that high-stakes matches can serve as the vital spark needed to shift the shape of their season, much like similar turning points did during previous campaigns.
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