Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot believes Michael Carrick is creating "something special" at Old Trafford and has suggested the club could clinch silverware this season.
Dalot's expectations for the new campaign
Speaking in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Dalot said: "My expectations are always the same: being able to be the best version of myself, trying to help the club as much as I can and being in the best position mentally and physically to help the team."
"And then try to build around me the energy that the club needs for us to fight for every competition, for every trophy. I think that's the minimum for this club, is for you to go to every season thinking that you can win every competition."
"And I think we are creating something special. Hopefully we can do it this season and arrive at the end of the season fighting for those competitions."
Carrick's impact and pre-season preparations
Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis at the end of May after guiding United to a Champions League return with three games to spare in the Premier League. The 45-year-old will look to better a third-place finish in 2026/27.
United have wrapped up their pre-season schedule and will begin the new campaign against Hull at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After that, they face Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, followed by Everton, Manchester City, and Fulham before the international break.
World Cup reflections
Dalot returned to Carrington at the start of the month following his post-World Cup break. The defender reached the Round of 16 with Portugal alongside Bruno Fernandes.
Reflecting on the tournament, he said: "I think the way it ended was obviously disappointing because we aimed for more. I think we had the quality to do much more than what we did. But that's part of football sometimes."
"Having a lot of talent, a lot of quality, it's not enough to win this kind of tournament. You always need something more, and I think that's what we need to find out."
"What is that bit that is missing for us to be able to go and fight in a competition like this. But it's also a learning process and a learning point for us as a country, as a team, and hopefully we can get better in the next competitions, go further and win them."
