Diogo Dalot insists ‘the standard’ at Manchester United should be winning the Premier League title ‘NOW’ and claims he can understand why fans are frustrated over the club’s inconsistency

Diogo Dalot says “the standard” at Manchester United should be a challenge for the Premier League and he understands why fans are frustrated by the team’s inconsistency.

The Red Devils claimed their first major trophy in six years by winning the Carabao Cup last season, but Dalot says the team has to be more ambitious in the future.

The Portugal international says Manchester United must focus on winning the Premier League after an 11-year drought on that front, claiming that is what fans expect of them.

Dalot said fighting for the FA Cup and securing a place in the Champions League was a good step forward, but said the club must focus on winning titles.

Speaking to Goal, Dalot said: “Last season we had a good year, we finished well with the trophy, fighting for the FA Cup and being in the Champions League places. It is not a goal of the club, but it is a step forward.

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“The standard will always be to fight for the Premier League, the Champions League and all the trophies we are in. So I think we can be in the right direction to get there.” The Club has not won the Premier League for many years. Eleven years. “That’s why the fans have been waiting for a long time.”

‘This is now, we have to win now. For them it doesn’t matter if we won the Carabao Cup last season, next season we just have to win two trophies, win the Premier League. Every year you start the Premier League with the expectation of being able to win it,” added Dalot.

“This is the type of mentality we need at the club. It is the normal standard of the club. It is up to us as players, as a club and as staff to demonstrate it and do it on the field.”

Manchester United had a difficult start to the season, losing contact with favorites Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal before being knocked out of the Champions League.

However, Erik ten Hag’s side have enjoyed much more success in 2024, winning six of seven games so far this year, putting them back in contention for a top-four finish.

However, Manchester United will be without their star players Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund for the foreseeable future after both players suffered injuries.

It is believed Shaw could miss the rest of the season after suffering a recurrence of a leg muscle injury in last weekend’s win at Luton.

Having been out for three months at the start of the season due to a separate thigh muscle issue, Shaw is expected to be sidelined for at least three months.

The 28-year-old’s latest injury will also be a major concern for England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

Losing Hojlund was another blow for Manchester United, with the Danish international on a run of eight goals in eight games.

Hojlund will join Antony Martial on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, leaving Ten Hag without firepower as he chases a top-four spot, which could be crucial to maintaining his spot at the end of the season.

There are some positives, however, as Mail Sport revealed on Thursday: Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to spend big on new signings so United can compete for major silverware once again.

The club is no longer in danger of breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the main reason they made no move for anyone in January.