Amad Diallo continues to pursue his aspiration of securing a regular spot at Manchester United, even after two years since his £19 million ($24m) move to the club.
Ivorian Forward’s Journey to Manchester United
The forward from Ivory Coast joined England’s Manchester United from Atalanta during the 2021 winter window. Touted as a raw talent, the Premier League powerhouse aimed to shape him into a top-tier player. Amad has since been patient, making only nine appearances for United before being loaned to Rangers and Sunderland. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old remains confident in proving his worth at the Theatre of Dreams. Amad shared with FourFourTwo his desire to return and showcase his skills at Manchester United.
Adapting to the High Life and Building Connections
Amad believes that he can justify a price tag potentially reaching £37m ($46m) and has formed connections with some notable figures in England. He emphasized not dwelling on the amount of money involved in the deal, focusing instead on being thrilled to join Manchester United. Recalling his first training session, Amad expressed awe at being among famous stars such as Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani. Developing friendships with Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, and Anthony Elanga helped him feel welcome at the club. Amad fondly remembers his debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Impressive Performance on Loan at Sunderland
During his loan at Sunderland this season, Amad has attracted attention with 11 goals and three assists for the Championship team. His performance aims to convince Erik ten Hag and Manchester United to include him in their 2023-24 plans.
Amad Diallo’s Early Career and Move to Manchester United
In his early career, Amad Diallo showcased immense talent and potential. Born in Ivory Coast, he moved to Italy as a young child and began playing football at the age of six. He joined the Atalanta youth academy in 2015 and quickly rose through the ranks. Amad made his professional debut for Atalanta in 2019, scoring his first goal in Serie A just 112 seconds after coming on as a substitute. This impressive feat made him the youngest player to score on his Serie A debut for the club.
Winter Transfer to Manchester United
Manchester United secured Amad Diallo’s transfer in the 2021 winter window, recognizing his potential as a future superstar. The transfer fee was reported to be around £19 million ($24m), with the possibility of rising to £37 million ($46m) based on his performances. Upon his arrival, Amad faced a steep learning curve, adapting to the intensity of the Premier League and the high expectations that came with his hefty price tag.
Limited Opportunities and Loan Spells
While at Manchester United, Amad Diallo experienced limited first-team opportunities. He made only nine appearances for the club, which included his debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. In search of more playing time, Amad went on loan to Rangers and Sunderland. During these loan spells, he displayed promising performances, with the latter proving particularly fruitful.
Success at Sunderland
While on loan at Sunderland in the Championship, Amad Diallo truly shone. He scored 11 goals and provided three assists, demonstrating his potential as a valuable attacking asset. His performance at Sunderland caught the attention of Manchester United’s management, sparking discussions about his possible return to the Theatre of Dreams.
In summary, Amad Diallo’s past performances reflected his raw talent and potential for growth. His journey from Atalanta’s youth academy to Manchester United showcased his dedication and ability to adapt to new challenges. Despite limited opportunities at Manchester United, his loan spells, particularly at Sunderland, displayed his capability to perform at a high level. With continued development, Amad Diallo might become a key player for Manchester United in the future.