Eight years at Old Trafford, and Diogo Dalot still hopes to win the biggest trophies with Manchester United as another crucial derby approaches. He sat down with ESPN before the match.

Diogo Dalot paused and puffed his cheeks. The question was whether it had been difficult for him to watch Manchester City's dominance over these eight years at Manchester United, and he took a moment before answering.

"I can't say it doesn't hurt. It hurts," he told ESPN. "There have been seasons where we couldn't even compete with them. It's painful to talk about."

That success is what Dalot watched Manchester United enjoy while growing up in Portugal. He was born in Braga in March 1999, just months before Ferguson's team achieved the treble. He was only 14 when Manchester United last won the Premier League title.

"I want to be part of the team that brings Manchester United back to the top, because since I was young I've seen this club operating at that level," Dalot said. "They always won, always competed, and had the world's best players. I want to be part of that."

Manchester City will visit Old Trafford on Sunday, and if everything goes well, Dalot will make his 250th appearance for Manchester United. As one of the longest-serving players at the club aside from Luke Shaw, he is uniquely positioned to discuss why Manchester United has consistently failed to challenge Manchester City over the past decade. The club has been in constant turmoil, and that hasn't helped.

Dalot has played under five permanent managers. Including interim and caretaker managers, that number rises to eight. Beyond the managerial changes, players have come and gone from the squad, and many high-profile signings have failed to meet expectations. Dalot has experienced all of it.

"I can't speak for everyone, but my demand on myself is always to think about who I want to be and where I want to go," he said. "When I signed for the club, I didn't think about leaving in two or three years. I signed because I believed this was the best place. You're joining a team with the opportunity to be the biggest club in the world.

"If any player during this time couldn't agree with that, or felt that wasn't what they needed or wanted, I can only wish them well and hope they pursue it elsewhere."

Dalot acknowledged he faced "many difficulties" early in his Manchester United career. He waited for opportunities under Mourinho. During Solskjaer's tenure, he was loaned to AC Milan. The spotlight at Old Trafford is intense. So far this season, the team's defense has conceded six goals against Hull City, Ipswich, and Everton, and has already faced criticism.

Dalot has learned to handle this scrutiny. Now as one of the veterans in the dressing room, he's also helping teammates deal with the pressure of wearing the shirt.

"When I first arrived, there were some players who had been here for a long time, and they helped me understand a lot," he said.

"Sometimes you go through difficult periods, but other times things aren't as bad as they seem. People sometimes misunderstand criticism. Not all criticism is bad. Sometimes it's constructive criticism, and you have to take some responsibility.

"When everything goes well, you feel like one of the best players in the world. You get a lot of praise, and then once you hit a setback, you drop to the bottom.

"Because I've been here a long time, I feel a responsibility to help players understand that sometimes things aren't as bad as they seem, and sometimes they're not as good as they seem. That's become one of my responsibilities now."

While Dalot understands the pressure players face, he argues it comes with playing for Manchester United.

"I don't think it's easy," he said.

"If you don't really know what it's like to play for such a big club, how much pressure there is, it's hard to understand until you actually come and feel it. At the same time, I think it's good to feel these things from the start, because it makes you realize how big this club is.

"For me, having these emotions is actually a privilege, because it means I'm playing for such a big club at such a high level. That's the motivation we need to draw on every day."

Manchester United made a mixed start to the season, earning just four points from three Premier League matches. Next up is Manchester City, and Dalot knows the importance of a derby victory.

A win against them in January—Amorim's first match after taking over—proved to be a turning point and eventually helped the team secure Champions League qualification. It was a goal that once seemed impossible under Amorim.

"What I've learned during this time is that these matches can change an entire season," Dalot said. "Last season was an example. We were in really bad shape back then, but playing Manchester City gives you confidence and allows you to go on a winning run.

"This season we haven't gotten the points we needed and wanted, but these matches spark something and make you really feel like you can move forward. There's no other match I'd rather play right now."

Aside from Liverpool, perhaps no other match is more important to Manchester United fans. Dalot says fans don't hide their emotions.

"It happens often," he said with a laugh. "I've heard fans say a few times that the only thing they want this season is to beat Liverpool or beat Manchester City. But that just shows how important it is to fans that this club dominates other teams and beats its rivals."

Derby victories are sweet, but Dalot's ambitions extend far beyond.

Manchester United's rebuild aims to challenge for the Premier League title by 2028, the club's 150th anniversary. Dalot admits he will only consider his time at Manchester complete success if he lifts the biggest trophies.

"For me, it's winning the Premier League and the Champions League," Dalot said. "Looking back at my time here, we've never truly been in a title race going into the final weeks of May.

"If I can be part of bringing this club back to competing in those competitions, it would probably be the biggest achievement of my life. Honestly, that's where this club should be.

"If we really get close to that stage, I think something special will form around the club. What motivates me most is doing my best to be part of that and, hopefully, eventually reaching that moment."

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