Man Utd lost 2-1 against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday to crash out of the FA Cup at the first opportunity.
Dalot reacted after the FA Cup defeat.(Image: MUTV)
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Diogo Dalot believes Manchester United must improve their defensive record. United crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday evening after losing 2-1 against Brighton at Old Trafford. The defeat means United will play 40 games this season, their fewest in a campaign for 111 years.
Michael Carrick is the leading candidate to take interim charge of the team for the remainder of the season, and the former midfielder will try to steer the club into the Champions League places. United have conceded 36 goals in all competitions this season. The Reds have recorded just two clean sheets in the Premier League, and Dalot believes the defensive record is a clear area for improvement.
Speaking after the Brighton defeat, he told MUTV: "Really difficult to take. The last couple of games, you try to find ways to win the game, and I think we did enough to win, but in the end, it's really frustrating because in the second half, we gave them so few chances to score goals, and we created enough to win, and we controlled the game."
When it was put to Dalot that United continue to concede goals despite conceding few shots on target, he said: "I think that's something we have to look at. We are in the phase where every attack they have is a threat to us, we are conceding so few shots on target.
"But we concede one goal at least every game. I still believe we're going to score every game. We are a threat, but when it's time to defend, we need more urgency as a team."
Carrick is expected to land the interim job, which means his first game in charge will be against Manchester City this weekend. City are winless in their last three league games but are still in second position.
"Not just the leaders, but the whole group," said Dalot about how United must respond. "You have to find ways to overcome this, to find energy between each other to come to training, be professional and prepare for a big game."
United will be boosted by the return of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo for the Manchester derby. The pair will be available for the first time since reporting to the Africa Cup of Nations with their respective nations.