Manchester United announced a deal supporters had been waiting for – Amad Diallo’s contract renewal.
Amad Diallo has signed a new contract to 2030, ending any concern the club would be unable to get the deal over the line.
United had been negotiating the deal with Amad’s representatives for months, and while the player’s intent was always to re-sign with the club, it has taken a little while to get done.
It helps Amad has had high importance under new head coach Ruben Amorim, yet this only raised the stakes for United, and made a renewal of the utmost importance.
Amad has netted a hefty wage increase on his previous deal, and United’s attentions will now turn towards getting an extension for Kobbie Mainoo wrapped up.
Amad Diallo praised
Amad Diallo has been fully deserving of his new contract at Manchester United, with 13 goal contributions to his name already this season.
Technical director Jason Wilcox hailed his ‘immense potential’ in the contract announcement, expressing excitement that the forward will be spending his best years ahead at Old Trafford.
Amad is a popular player at United, one who has had to battle hard for his spot since his arrival in January 2021. He has been out on loan twice, and has also spent time out battling injuries, which delayed his breakthrough last season.
Former United coach Benni McCarthy reached out to Amad on Instagram, writing: “A very big Congratulations my brother you earned your new contract and I’m so happy and proud of you.
“Continue the brilliant work you doing.”
McCarthy witnessed Amad break into the first team last season, ending the campaign strongly with a big performance at home to Newcastle.
That provided the platform for a strong 2024/25 individually, with McCarthy leaving in the summer amid a shake-up of coaching staff, months before Erik ten Hag’s eventual sacking.
Amad’s current teammate Harry Maguire also reached out, writing: “Well deserved mate”.
Maguire, 31, himself has just seen United trigger a one-year extension option on his deal, now to run to June 2026.
United had the option to do this with Amad, but due to his age, 22, have elected to tie up a longer term deal.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Benni McCarthy backed Amad for success
Benni McCarthy is a big believer in Amad’s talent and has discussed him twice in interviews since he left United.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet ZeroZero in October ahead of the United vs Porto game, McCarthy picked out Amad as one of the players who impressed him most during his time on the coaching staff at Carrington.
He said: “Amad Diallo. An incredible, incredible player, still little known.
“He defends and attacks well, always makes the best decisions and knows how to score goals.”
And then speaking on a podcast in late December, McCarthy explained how Amad was a victim of circumstance under Erik ten Hag, because the manager believed in Antony more.
He said: “
“Tactically, when we set up, the manager [Ten Hag] felt that Antony was the best, better player for the job that he wanted because he knew Antony from Ajax.
“He was his player, so he invested in him, and the club supported him. So, of course, he had to support the player that he bought, I think that’s why he persisted in playing Antony. It’s because he knew the capabilities when Antony was at his best.
“Someone’s got to [miss out], and unfortunately for Amad, the manager goes with the player he thinks is probably more capable for those type of games tactically, defensively and attacking.”
Amad began to prove his qualities regardless, and while Erik ten Hag was not ‘all in’ on Amad, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was, and Ruben Amorim certainly has been.
The youngster has played a key role ever since Amorim took over, and while results have been inconsistent, Amad’s contribution has been big, becoming the first player since 2013 to score away at Liverpool and Manchester City in the same season.
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