Manchester United wonderkid Amad Diallo has hailed the influence of one “fantastic” club teammate and shared what he told him when he was injured earlier this season.
Amad Diallo missed the opening of Manchester United’s current season after he picked up an injury in his side’s 2-0 friendly win over Arsenal last summer.
The 21-year-old Ivorian winger returned from injury and dropped an impressive cameo appearance in the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last December.
Diallo, who was loaned out to Sunderland last season, missed four months for United due to his knee injury and has been battling for his place in the first team.
However, the former Atalanta man has struggled to secure regular first-team minutes since his return and only made one appearance for United this season.
Diallo’s future at Old Trafford is currently shrouded in mystery, with the Ivory Coast international linked with a return to Sunderland in the January transfer window.
However, the United player remained at the Premier League side – despite attracting interest from other clubs – and has now opened up about his injury.
Diallo praises Man Utd star
Speaking to Manchester United’s TeamViewer Diaries, Amad Diallo praised the influence of teammate Lisandro Martinez and called him a “leader.”
Martinez, who is currently injured, was ruled out of action last September after he aggravated a foot injury that he previously suffered near the end of last season.
The 26-year-old defender made his long-awaited return last month before he suffered another injury setback in United’s 3-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford.
Diallo insisted that he is “pleased to be back” for United and how Red Devils star Martinez had reassuring advice for him when he was injured.
“Lisandro is a fantastic person,” he said.
“He’s more than a player to me. He’s a leader. When I got injured, he was injured too, so he really helped me.
“He spoke to me a lot and told me not to worry about the injury, and the main thing was to stay positive and work hard to get back into the team, so I did what he and everyone else said.
“I’m so pleased to be back.”
Diallo on his Man Utd return
Diallo revealed that he was thrilled to return against Forest at City Ground, despite the Red Devils suffering defeat in their last Premier League match of 2023.
“I was pleased to be back because I was out for so long, it was almost five months,” he said.
“Coming back and playing in that game was really important for me. It was exciting and I hope to keep it up.
“The coach gave me some instructions. He told me to attack and get into one-on-ones, without forgetting my defensive duties, so I did what he asked and I’m pleased to have returned in that game.
“I hope the next one will be a win.”
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