Diogo Dalot is determined to help Manchester United climb back to the top of English football. The defender will make his 250th appearance for the club in Sunday's derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford, a milestone that shows his longevity during a turbulent period.
Dalot arrived from Porto as a teenager in 2018 and is now the club's second-longest serving player behind Luke Shaw. In eight years he has played under five permanent managers and eight in total if interim bosses are counted, experiencing a loan spell at AC Milan along the way. The 25-year-old has seen local rivals City win five Premier League titles and the Champions League in that time, while United's last league triumph came when he was 14.
The dream of restoration
"I'm not going to say that it's not been painful because it has been," Dalot said. "There were seasons where we couldn't even compete against them."
Despite the uneven journey, which included a Carabao Cup win in 2023 and an FA Cup final victory over City last year, Dalot's ambition remains fixed on a larger prize. "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," he said. The club's long-term rebuild is aimed at challenging for the title by 2028, which will be United's 150th anniversary.
Current context and challenge
United's form this season has been mixed, leaving them 11th in the Premier League with four points from three games. They are five points behind leaders City ahead of the weekend clash. Recent results include a 4-0 friendly win over Sabah FA and a 2-2 draw at Everton, but also a 2-0 loss at Hull City.
The team has shown attacking promise, scoring seven league goals, but defensive issues persist, conceding six. The absence of key players like Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte and Amad Diallo, all listed on our injuries page, has been a factor. Victory over City in January under then-caretaker Michael Carrick sparked a run that led to Champions League qualification, showing the potential impact of a derby win.
Looking to the future
Dalot, born in Braga just months after Sir Alex Ferguson's side won the treble in 1999, embodies the bridge between the club's glorious past and its desired future. His upcoming landmark appearance is a sign of his resilience. The immediate task is to use the spirit of last season's cup final win and improve a league position that fans will be tracking on our standings page. United host the champions at Old Trafford on Sunday, 13 September, with Dalot set for his 250th outing in red.
