Diogo Dalot insists 'the standard' at Man Utd should be winning EPL title 'NOW'

Diogo Dalot says 'the standard' at Manchester United should be challenging for the Premier League and that he understands why the fans are frustrated over the team's inconsistency.

The Red Devils secured their first major trophy in six years by winning the Carabao Cup last season, but Dalot says the squad have to be more ambitious going forwards.

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

Dalot said fighting for the FA Cup and securing a champions league spot was a good step forward, but said the club must focus on picking up silverware.

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 spots. It's not an aim for the club, but it's a step forward.

'The standard will always be fighting for the Premier League, the Champions League and all the trophies that we are in. So I think we can be in the right direction to go there. The club hasn't won the Premier League in a lot of years. Eleven years. So the fans have been waiting 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, in the next one we just have to win two trophies, win the Premier League. Every year you start the Premier League with expectations that you can win it,' Dalot added.

'This is the type of mentality that we need in the club. It's the normal standard for the club. It's up to us as players, as a club, as staff to show it and to do it on the pitch.'

Manchester United endured a difficult start to the season, losing touch with frontrunners Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal before crashing out of the Champions League.

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

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

It's 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 issue with his thigh muscle, Shaw is expected to be sidelined for at least three months.

The 28-year-old's latest injury will also be a big worry for England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of the Euros this summer.

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

Hojlund will be joining Antony Martial on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, leaving Ten Hag short of firepower as he chases the top-four place that could be crucial to keeping his job at the end of the season.

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

The club are no longer in danger of breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules [PSR], the main reason they didn't make a move for anyone in January.