It’s been a season marred by injuries, managerial changes, fan discontent and, most notably, a string of damaging defeats, making this Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League campaign. Amid the disappointment, one of the few bright sparks has been Ivorian attacker Amad Diallo.
After years of patience, loan spells, setbacks and relentless hard work, Diallo finally broke into United’s first team. Prior to his injury this season, he was becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet. Now he’s back in training, and he looks ready to make an impact in the closing stages of the season.
We caught up with former Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboué, who considers Diallo like a younger brother, to discuss the winger’s progress and the next steps in his development.
Amad Diallo Nears Manchester United Return
It’s been far from a smooth journey for Amad Diallo at Manchester United.
Since completing his £19 million move from Italian side Atalanta, which rises to £37.2 million with add-ons, expectations have been high. Diallo initially found opportunities limited and was sent out on loan to Rangers and then Sunderland. While his stint in Scotland didn’t quite take off, his spell on Wearside was a breakthrough.
During the 2022-23 season, Diallo scored an impressive 14 goals and provided four assists for Sunderland. He quickly became a fan favourite and proved he could cope with the demands of English football.
Back at United, Diallo faced a tough task of convincing then-manager Erik ten Hag. Although he was used sparingly, he produced one of United’s most memorable moments last season, a last-minute FA Cup quarter-final winner against Liverpool. Man United would go on to win the FA Cup.
Since Ten Hag’s departure and Ruben Amorim’s arrival, Diallo has become a regular starter. Before his injury, he had nine goals and eight assists in 36 appearances. Now back on the training pitch, his return will be a welcome boost after United’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday.
Eboué: “Amad Has to Be Like Ronaldo”
Eboué, who sees himself as a mentor to Diallo, has urged the young winger to focus on physical conditioning and take a leaf out of Man United legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s book.
“I love Amad—he’s like a younger brother to me. He’s a very good player, but his problem is that he picks up too many injuries. As a young footballer, you need to be available every week—but with Amad, it’s often one or two good months, then he’s out again.”
“He’s still very young, but if he wants to become a top player, he needs to be incredibly strong. When I watched Cristiano Ronaldo, it was rare to see him injured. He looked after himself and worked unbelievably hard—and he’s still doing that now, even at 40.”
“Amad has to be like that. He needs to be ready every week. The talent is there, but the injuries are holding him back—and that’s not good.”
Diallo has no doubt been one of the bright sparks of Man United’s poor season, in which they could finish 17th in the Premier League if they continue to lose, and when he returns, the excitement around Old Trafford will be huge. The 22 year-old has a bright future at Manchester United and will be key to Amorim’s plans, but he needs to be able to get past his injury struggles sooner rather than later.
