“That’s what feeds me…”: United ace outlines his Old Trafford ambition

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Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot is currently the second-longest-serving player in the club’s squad, behind Luke Shaw. The Portuguese full-back arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2018 from Porto and has since become a first-team regular for the club.

Dalot has made the right-back position his own in recent years and has amassed 10 goals and 20 assists in 249 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.

Diogo Dalot : Stats by Club

The 27 year old has won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup with the Premier League giants and was part of the team that lost the Europa League final in 2025. Dalot’s ability to operate on both flanks has also been a boon for United, with the player regularly covering at left-back when required.

The Portuguese recently sat down with ESPN to discuss a wide range of topics, including his ambition at Old Trafford.

Dalot eager to guide United back to glory days

Speaking to ESPN, Dalot insisted that he is eager to get United back to their heyday. He said: “I want to be a part of the team that puts Man United back on top because that’s what I’ve watched from this club growing up. They were winning, competing, having the best players in the world, and I want to be a part of it.”

The Portuguese revealed that he did not arrive at Old Trafford with the intention of leaving in a couple of years. He said: “I cannot speak for everybody, but what I try to do with myself is to think about what I want to achieve, where I want to go.”

“When I sign for the club, I don’t sign it thinking that in two or three years I’m going to leave. I signed because this is the best place to be. You’re being a part of a club that can be the biggest club in the world.”

“If there are players that during this time don’t relate to that or don’t feel that’s what they need or what they want, then I can only say good luck and try to do that somewhere else.”

Dalot’s ambitions at United

Dalot went on to point out that he is eager to win the Premier League and the Champions League with United. He said: “”For me, it’s winning the Premier League, winning the Champions League. If you look at the time that I’ve been here, there’s not one time that we actually competed for the Premier League, arriving in May, the last fixtures and you’re there.”

“It would be the biggest achievement of my life probably, to be a part of something that would put this club fighting for those competitions because, to be completely honest, it’s where this club should be.”

“I know that if we get to that stage of getting close, I think we will create something around the club. That’s what feeds me the most is to do whatever I can to be a part of it and hopefully get to that moment.”

Dalot has started two of United’s four games this season, and was an unused substitute in the 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League earlier this week. However, the Portuguese is expected to be back in the starting XI for Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Final Thoughts

Dalot remains a key figure in Michael Carrick’s plans at the moment, but was linked with an exit over the summer. The Portuguese’s contract expires in 2028, so INEOS will have to make a decision on his future soon.