Last year, United confirmed deals for 4 new players on a frantic deadline day including Amad Diallo. This concluded a lacklustre window which involved the failed pursuit of 20-year-old England International Jadon Sancho.
Among those, a young Ivorian winger named Amad Diallo. The club announced that they had reached an agreement with Serie A club Atalanta. The fee reported was 25 million euros, rising to 40 million including performance related and other bonuses.
Due to work permit issues, Amad, who is the youngest goalscorer in Serie A, was not able to join the 13-time Premier League Champions in October, and instead had to wait until January. In that time, Diallo made just 1 appearance for Atalanta in the league.
Reports claimed Atalanta wanted to re-sign the promising young right-winger on a loan-deal until the end of the season. United refused and Diallo wanted to join United in January, once all the relevant paperwork was complete.
How has Diallo performed in training?
Amad, who made his first-team debut for Atalanta against Udinese a year before the Red Devils agreed to sign him, joined United in January in an eagerly anticipated move from last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists after obtaining his work permit. Amad impressed Solskjaer in training since his arrival and is set to make his debut soon.
Solskjaer claims that Amad has “made a difference in training” and that he “can’t see it being too long until he’s in the squad” as he spoke to MUTV.
Diallo’s contribution to the youth team
Amad made his debut for United in an U23’s game against Liverpool where United trounced Liverpool 6-2 on Merseyside. Diallo opened the scoring that day as well as scoring a panenka.
Solskjaer said on MUTV before a flat 0-0 draw against Arsenal “If we go from that game, I’d pick Joe Hugill. Scored 4 goals and should have taken the penalty instead of giving it to Amad.” Hugill felt it would be a nice gesture to give Amad the penalty on his debut.
Hugill, one of many young English prospects in United’s academy, joined from Sunderland for £300,000 last summer. The 17-year-old has exceeded expectations ever since his arrival. The Sunderland-born attacker could win Premier League 2 Player of the Month for January, after receiving a nomination.
Amad Diallo was handed a start in the following U23s game against table-toppers Blackburn Rovers. Diallo impressed that night with a hat-trick of assists and a goal, in a 10-goal thriller which United won 6-4. Goals from Hugill, Mejbri and Shoretire, who recently signed a professional deal with United, secured another Premier League 2 victory. Neil Wood’s side sit in 6th place.
When is Diallo likely to make his debut?
Diallo is likely to make his senior debut this month. The start of the Europa League knockouts, and the lack of right-wingers in the squad will undoubtedly boost his chances. He was named on the bench in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over West Ham in the FA Cup.
