It is not just those on the Old Trafford terraces excited about what could be a truly breakout season for one Manchester United youngster.
If 2022/23 was Alejandro Garnacho’s year, if 2023/24 was Kobbie Mainoo’s, then 2024/25 could be the campaign in which Amad Diallo finally establishes himself as a bonafide Premier League star.
A dazzling end to last season – scoring that famous FA Cup winner against Liverpool and lashing in a first ever top-flight strike against Newcastle – was a tantalising hint at things to come.
And Amad has started the new campaign like he ended the last one, too. A fine solo goal against Brighton and Hove Albion proceeded a promising cameo against Liverpool, the Ivorian sending a message to Erik ten Hag along the lines of ‘drop me at your peril’.
And, speaking on the Premier League’s official TikTok account, there was only one name that came to mind when Mainoo was asked which of his Red Devils team-mates will take the division by storm in the coming months.
Amad Diallo tipped for big Manchester United season
“I think Amad will break the internet,” Mainoo says. “He’s got so much quality. I think he will go into the season flying.”
‘Explosive’ is the word that has tends to follow Amad around.
It was the description veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton used after the former Sunderland and Rangers loanee launched a rocket into the Real Betis net in pre-season.
An emphatic finisher off his trusty left boot, perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to Amad is that not even Garnacho – arguably Man United’s most improved player last season – can be sure of a place in Ten Hag’s XI these days.
“We have to see Amad in a different way,” Ten Hag said back in July, mirroring Mainoo’s belief that this will be the campaign which truly announces the 22-year-old onto the biggest of stages, via Goal.
“Of course, he’s still young but he is not inexperienced any more. Last season, he had bad times with bad injuries. Before that, he was in the Championship and he had a great season.
“At the end of last season, he had a very good time in our first team and played some good games. Now for this season, this has to be the year.
“It’s great that he starts like this.”
Kobbie Mainoo an example for youngsters to follow
Alongside Mainoo, Garnacho, Leny Yoro, Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Amass and Toby Collyer – a new favourite of Ten Hag’s – Man United have the basis of a very strong team not only for the present but for the future too.
Mainoo only made his Premier League debut ten months ago.
The rapid nature of his rise can be summed up pretty succinctly by the change in his EA Sports FC25 rating, going from 62 to 77 in the space of one year.
“I think (my strength) rating could be a bit higher. Definitely should be higher than my defending!” Mainoo smiles when giving the verdict on his new ‘bronze’ card, via the Premier League’s YouTube channel.
“(But) it’s OK! (For my) first proper season, it’s OK.”
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