Ecstasy and jubilation bounced from the pandemonium-packed Stretford End, amplifying the euphoric elation alleviating from Old Trafford as Amad Diallo slotted home one of the most iconic goals in Manchester United history in the last decade.
“Amad for the semi-final – a comeback of monumental proportions! Erik ten Hag said this was a chance to save their season. Well, Amad Diallo has just breathed new life into it”. The essence of a moment was captured perfectly by the enigmatic Peter Drury.
Rewind to January 7th 2021.
An Ivorian winger has signed for United Serie A outfit Atalanta. Unknown to the masses at the time, the 18-year-old arrived for £37 million and, in doing so, was the first player registered under post-Brexit rules.
The following is the story of Amad Diallo, an undiscovered talent who went from plying his trade in the Italian youth leagues to becoming a prized possession in the North West at a time of sparse positivity.
His progression has been far from linear, but his perseverance and desire have forced him into this United squad, overcoming many obstacles along the way.
Teenage tribulations
Having moved to Italy at a young age, Amad spent his early years at Boca Barco, an amateur club currently sitting mid-table in Italian football’s seventh tier.
At 13, he transferred to Atalanta, working his way through the youth ranks. In 2019, he was handed his debut for the senior team in a 7-1 trouncing against Udinese, landing a goal and becoming the first 2002-born player to score in Serie A.
His ability earned comparisons with former Arsenal player Gervinho. That said, his performances of late have easily surpassed the former Arsenal man, with notable work rate, silky dribbling and threat on the counter that have led to him being feared across the division.
Former Ghanaian international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has gone one step further and compared him to Cristiano Ronaldo. “Their age is similar, their pace – he’d take you one against one – and he has an eye for goal,” he told BBC Sport Africa. “To compare them is too early for us, but going by what I have seen, he can be at that level very soon.”
The comparisons don’t end there, as former Atalanta captain Papu Gomez previously likened the youngster to Lionel Messi!
But with expectations comes pressure. Supporters in the modern game are notably short on patience, and social media toxicity is at an all-time high.
Coming of age
Diallo signed for United and was immediately hoisted into his first match for the under-23s, scoring twice in a 6-3 victory over Liverpool.
A bright start for the new signing, keen to make a mark on the world’s biggest stage.
At 18, the youth prospect debuted for the senior team against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. In the same competition, the Ivorian claimed his first goal in red, a looping header over A.C Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumna, which proved to be the pivotal goal, sending the Red Devils to the quarter-final.
From here, Amad’s career in red failed to ignite as hoped. With a handful of appearances off the bench, the winger struggled to break into the first team.
A loan to Rangers was thought to be the best move, scoring on his debut in a 3-3 draw against Ross County. But featuring in 13 games for the Glasgow side, the United loanee managed just three goals.
Black Cats come calling
In the Summer of 2022, Amad returned to Old Trafford, his career at a crossroads. Fellow youngster Facundo Pellistri appeared to be ahead of the now 20-year-old in the pecking order.
Championship side Sunderland inevitably swooped, where Amad unlocked his true potential. Quickly becoming the winger of choice at Wearside, he contributed 14 goals and four assists in just 42 games, picking up the Young Player of the Year award for The Cats.
One Sunderland fan spoke highly of Amad in his blog the Roker Report:
“It’s clear that the love we the fans and Amad share is special, and that’s a bond that will never be broken. I have no doubts that he will go down as one of the greatest — if not THE greatest — loan signing in the history of this football club.”
The love for Amad on Wearside has transcended to Sir Matt Busby Way, where Amad finds himself lauded for his work on and off the ball, a player playing for the badge, a minimum requirement to obtain the connection with the fans.
Amad under Amorim
Undoubtedly, Diallo has been one of the shining lights under Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese coach has entrusted the youngster at wing-back and recently at number 10 against Viktoria Plzen. One of the brightest stars under the new management, he has come under high praise of late alongside Rasmus Højlund, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
With supporters calling for a Todd Boehly-style rebuild, the trio, joined by Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, appear to be the players fans are longing to remain at Old Trafford.
Amad’s threat and intelligence off the ball have allowed him to run at players, cutting in on his favoured left side and getting fans off their seats.
The Ivorian has had the most touches in the opposition box and taken the most shots, popping up in United’s time of need, offering a creative outlet through his flair and low centre of gravity, something the Reds have yearned for. His comfort on the ball and ability to progress the play down the wing is pivotal to the style of player Amorim is trying to implement in this squad.
Undeniably, this talented boy has become a fan favourite at Old Trafford with continued devotion and determination – a prerequisite from the Old Trafford faithful and something which this dynamic Ivorian possesses in abundance.
The future is bright for this United star, who undoubtedly will write his name into the coveted history books of Old Trafford in the coming years.
How do you feel about Amad Diallo at the heart of this Manchester rebuild? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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