Former Manchester United academy star Aliou Traore makes Parma debut

Add as preferred source on Google

Aliou Traore made his Parma debut after coming off the bench in the final stages of a 4-0 Serie B defeat to Lecce.

The 20-year-old came on in the 79th minute when his side were already trailing by four goals and played the remainder of the game in centre midfield.

He had been an unused substitute in Parma’s last six league games prior to yesterday’s match.

It was his first appearance since joining the Italians on a free transfer in September.

Traore was released by Manchester United in June after three years in the academy at Old Trafford.

Traore showed promise at United but failed to kick on, especially after an underwhelming loan spell at Caen last season.

Parma are in Serie B and looking to rebuild after finishing bottom of Serie A last season, but despite having the legendary Gianluigi Buffon, a former World Cup winner, back at the club, the Italian giants are struggling.

Last night’s hammering left Parma 14th in Serie B after 12 games. But after getting his first taste of action for his new club, Traore will be eager to establish himself in Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up.

However, it wasn’t Traore’s first appearance in Italy, as he featured in Manchester United’s UEFA Youth League side, who drew 2-2 against Juventus in 2018.

Puigmal building momentum with Almeria

Arnau Puigmal scored his second goal in four games for Almeria last night as they continued their promotion charge.

The former Espanyol talent, who left Manchester United in the summer after three years in the Red Devils academy, scored in the 95th minute to secure a 2-0 win against Burgos.

The 20-year-old is playing in a second division side that is six points clear at the top of the table and will be targeting promotion to La Liga.

Despite scoring seven goals in 12 games for United’s under-23s last season, Puigmal’s decision to leave when his contract expired looks to be becoming increasingly vindicated.

He returned to Spain with the objective of playing regular football and that’s what he is getting.

Puigmal has featured in Almeria’s last six matches, three of which were starts.

With five wins in a row, Almeria are only going to get stronger when Puigmal’s former Manchester United academy team mate Largie Ramazani returns to the first team fold. The Belgian has missed the last six matches.

If Almeria maintain their current form there is every chance the pair could be playing La Liga football next season.

• Man Utd fans all saying same thing about Andrey Santos after pre-season debut performance vs Wrexham
• Every former Man Utd player to play in MLS after Eric Bailly’s latest move
• Jason Wilcox has just shown why Amorim had to be sacked with pointed praise for Michael Carrick
• Newcastle’s £46m rejected bid proves that Man Utd have completed the best deal of the summer
• Michael Carrick might have provided a hint on Patrick Dorgu plans as transfer priority becomes clear