Eight years is a long time in football — yet Diogo Dalot shows no signs of disillusionment. The Manchester United full-back continues to carry genuine belief that the club can recapture its place among the game's elite, with another high-stakes derby on the horizon.

Dalot has witnessed the full sweep of United's turbulent recent history, from fleeting highs to prolonged disappointment, but his commitment to the cause at Old Trafford has never wavered. The Portuguese defender has evolved into one of the squad's most dependable figures across that period.

Now, with a crucial derby approaching, Dalot's faith in the project underway at the club appears undimmed. For a player who has seen so much at United — the managerial changes, the false dawns, and the occasional glimpse of the side's former glory — that conviction carries real weight.

The full-back's longevity at Old Trafford also reflects a broader determination within the squad to be part of something meaningful rather than seek easier routes elsewhere. Dalot has had opportunities to leave, yet he has chosen to remain and fight for the shirt.

With the derby looming as a potential turning point, his belief may prove to be exactly the kind of spirit United need as they look to push up the table and rebuild their reputation as a force in English football.