Amad Diallo is one of the success stories of Manchester United’s loanees this season, with the young Ivorian finally getting his big breakthrough in senior football.
Amad joined the club from Atalanta halfway through the 2020/21 season, having quite an impact on United’s second half of that season, most significantly through scoring the only goal in a 1-1 draw with AC Milan in the Europa League.
Since then, he has endured troublesome injuries and one disappointing loan spell with Rangers last season. He was named in Erik ten Hag’s pre-season squad last summer but his involvement was cut short after joining Sunderland on a season-long loan.
Amad has flourished at the Stadium of Light, quickly forcing himself into the side and making himself undroppable under Tony Mowbray, who has come to the player’s praises repeatedly.
Amad’s fine form has also earned him a recall to the Ivorian national team as he takes part in this month’s set of international fixtures, having not featured for his nation since 2021.
Speaking ahead of the final two months of the season, Amad has reflected on his positive season, insisting regular minutes on the pitch have helped him with his confidence.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve played in all the games and so I have felt I have more confidence. The manager and all the staff are confident in me and I think that this will help me a lot for next year,” Amad is quoted as saying on the official Manchester United website.
“I hope that next year will be a good season for me,” he continued.
“So, when a player goes on loan, the first thing is to get lots of playing minutes, and, yes, once you get lots of minutes and start playing lots, you grow straight away. Your confidence increases, and I think that, since I have been here, at the beginning I didn’t play much, but then I started playing regularly and, from there, it all started.
“And, like I said before, I think this loan spell will help me for next season because it has helped me mature, and I have grown lots, on a mental level as well, and feel I have the ability to show this next season.”
Amad does, however, still face the challenge of making an impression at Old Trafford as lucrative investments in his position have affected his chances of minutes.
Undeniably, there are bags of talent for United to seize and this summer’s pre-season may prove to be pivotal for Amad.