Amad Diallo’s Long-awaited Emergence for Manchester United
At 22 years of age, Amad Diallo has already had quite the rollercoaster career. From arriving in Italy as an 8-year-old, to changing his name at age 18 from Amad Traoré to Amad Diallo, the Ivorian has a story to tell. From taking a picture with idol, Paul Pogba at 13 to playing alongside Pogba at Manchester United, this is Amad, who chooses to be called by his first name.
From controversy about his arrival and fake father to shining like a gazillion stars with Boca Barco in the province of Parma during a Christmas tournament, Amad’s stock has risen exponentially. His transfer to Atalanta and subsequent starring for the Primavera team took his fame to another level.
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Incredible skills and otherworldly finishes were the norm, in fact so good did he get, that Manchester United under Ole Gunner Solskjaer splashed the cash on him in 2021 after playing just 5 games for Atalanta’s senior team. A €25m fee, rising to €40m with bonuses.
The furor following the transfer was understandable, and his subsequent lack of game-time, despite a goalscoring debut and other worthy highlights with the Manchester United U23s didn’t help his cause. He has endured a rocky road to get to this level, and it’s not a surprise he is unafraid to take the bull by the horns.
His 6-month loan spell at Scottish giants Rangers saw 3 goals in 13 appearances, only if he was deemed ready enough by Solskjaer. His 14-goal season, also on loan at Sunderland drew the attention of United fans, but as Benni McCarthy recently revealed, his return to United saw stunted growth because of a manager desperate to prove his biggest signing wasn’t a flop.
Like a lion unleashed, Amad has begun to show the potential many saw in Parma during that Christmas tournament. While many attribute it to him entering the final year of his contract and attempting to secure a new deal, others, those who have seen him from the streets of Parma know this is the normal. Amad has speed to burn and is aggressive, timely, and never stops pressing, and above all, has a never-say-die attitude that rings true amongst greats.
He may not have the finesse passing of his idol or the height, but the natural talent, the ability to skip past his man, and a nimble dribbling ability that remains unmatched. Take the goal against Liverpool in the victorious 2023-24 FA Cup campaign, where he maintained composure and poise after an exhausting run to tuck beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.
United were playing for penalties at that point, content to test the lottery, but he had other ideas. For a player with just over half a century of appearances at the highest level, Amad plays like he has been there for a long time, with the grace of a veteran. It’s no coincidence his contract is about to be extended.
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His anticipation and quick read of the game means he is a crucial piece in Rúben Amorim’s new-look United. Take his Man of the Match contribution at Manchester City. Not giving up to intercept a bad back pass,, and then winning a penalty, before his final act, latching onto Lisandro Martínez’s long-range pass, before taking one touch and another to cooly slot home. He has proven time and again he is ever the fighter, and even much better the sportsman.
Whether it’s at a Christmas tournament in Parma, or at the Etihad, shaking Pep Guardiola at full-time in an awkward exchange, the genius of Amad Diallo is one for the ages, a star so certain to shine.
By: Tosin Holmes / @Cosimo_diMedici
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Matthew Ashton – AMA / Getty Images