Amad Diallo is the talk of Manchester United after scoring a last minute winner in the derby against City.
Manchester United have a special talent in Amad Diallo, just as the club hoped when they clinched his signature in 2020.
United paid Atalanta an initial £19 million, a fee that could rise above £30 million, and it was seen as a gamble at the time for a club that have had a hit and miss rate buying players.
But there was a reason United paid up for Amad. He was a player who scored on his Serie A debut for Atalanta when he was 17.
Amad’s second success against City
Manchester United fans around the world celebrated when Amad scored his sensational late goal at The Etihad.
The 22-year-old Ivorian has done it against Manchester City before, when he was known by a different name.
Back in 2019, Amad starred for Atalanta’s under-19s side in the UEFA Youth League, leading them to a 3-1 away win over City.
He was known by Amad Traore at the time. This was the name attached to him when United first signed him, before he made clear his preference was to be known as Amad Diallo, or simply Amad.
City’s website reported at the time: “City U19s suffered a first UEFA Youth League defeat after Amad Traore inspired Atalanta to a 3-1 victory at the Academy Stadium.”
Amad scored one and assisted another in the win. Further details of Amad’s super-show included…
- ‘Traore’s abundance of pace carved a number of chances.’
- ‘The Ivorian punished us with a mazy run and finish.’
- ‘Their most potent attacking threat, the lightening quick Traore.’
- ‘Traore’s deadly direct running reaped its reward when his cut-back was finished at the near post’
- ‘Traore rode several challenges on another tricky run before sliding the ball beyond Bazunu’
If City had enough foresight, they would have moved to snap him up. Instead this was a moment when Manchester United’s scouts got it spot on, and the club listened to their advice.
Five years on since his academy performance against City, he is doing it for real at first team level.
Amad strike vs Liverpool followed youth demolition job too
Amad is living up to his high potential and this was not the first time he has backed up his stellar record in youth teams.
His stunning FA Cup quarter-final winner against Liverpool back in March came after he had already ripped them apart on his under-21s debut.
The winner even had a similarity to one he scored for the under-21s in a 6-3 win in January 2021, one of two goals he scored on the day.
Amad is now developing into a true first teamer, but he is no way done yet. At just 22, he is only just getting started.
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