It's being reported that Derby County are interesting in signing Manchester United winger Amad Diallo on loan. What would the young Ivorian bring to The Rams? We spoke with Old Trafford Faithful, Utd District, and United Hour to find out all about him.
It’s rumored that Derby are interested in signing Amad Diallo on loan. What do you make of it?
Old Trafford Faithful: Well as things stand, Amad is only on the fringes of the first-team here at Manchester United, so a loan move makes sense. I'm personally delighted to hear he's likely to stay in England - and working at Derby would definitely help him in regards to his development.
Utd District: From a United point of view, I think it’s a great opportunity for Amad to finally get some consistent minutes in senior football. Since he’s come in it's been glaringly obvious that reserve team football is far too easy a level for him so a half-season in the championship will do wonders for his development as well as allow him to play in really demanding conditions with Derby still within a chance of staying in the league.
United Hour: I would be happy for Amad to go on loan to Derby. The most important thing is that he gets regular minutes somewhere.
He was purchased from Atalanta for quite a big some of money (reportedly £18.17m plus £15.57m in add-ons), but has only played three times for the senior Man Utd team. Why is that?
Old Trafford Faithful: Well, he's still a little rough around the edges, while the additions of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho didn't help. He's also suffered from an injury or two meaning his start to life in Manchester has been somewhat disruptive.
Utd District: Amad joined midway through the 20/21 season having played only 120 minutes of senior football for Atalanta. Transitioning from Italy to England is a tough ask for any player let alone an 18/19-year-old. Couple that with a manager in Ole Gunnar Solskjær who was very reluctant to rotate, Amad found his chances limited as he was essentially the 7th choice behind Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Dan James, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial. He was due to go out on loan in the summer with a deal to Feyenoord reportedly in the final stages before he got injured. The summer arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and the return of Jesse Lingard from loan pushed him even further down the pecking order and is the reason for him and the club revisiting the loan move.
United Hour: He only arrived last January and spent a few months with the Academy before getting his senior debut. He impressed in his limited chances including an important goal vs AC Milan in Europe. But he's been mostly injured this season. Although there was a loan deal to Feyenoord agreed prior to his injury, so that still may a possible destination.
Is he still seen as one for the future at United? Do you think he could eventually break into the first team?
Old Trafford Faithful: For sure. With a manager who believes in youth like Ralf Rangnick in charge, Amad will get his opportunities (assuming the club hire a permanent manager with the same beliefs).
Utd District: The futures of many of United’s forwards are up in the air at the moment with Lingard, Martial and Cavani all likely to leave in the summer. Amad is seen as one to watch for the future however his upcoming loan move, wherever it may be, will be crucial for Amad to carve out his pathway to the first team especially with a new manager to be appointed in the summer. I believe personally he has the talent and ability to break into the first team but he needs to step into a first-team environment and showcase it consistently. An opportunity he hasn’t had yet.
Is this loan move a bid to continue his development or are United looking to put him in the shop window?
Old Trafford Faithful: It's definitely a developmental thing. Amad just needs to be playing football as he's far too good for the U23/PL2 level. He'll certainly be given a genuine shot at earning a spot in the first-team within the next couple of seasons.
Utd District: We paid quite a fee for him so I think it's unlikely we’re looking to cash in so early. Ole and his staff as well as the reserve team set up have spoken on many occasions about how big a talent, we have on our hands I think the focus with him now is getting senior minutes under his belt with the idea being he stakes a claim for a spot in the XI.
What are his strengths?
Old Trafford Faithful: Pace. Directness. Pure talent. Amad has bags of speed and always looks to constantly threaten the opposing defence. Be it running in behind or driving at defenders with the ball at his feet. He's constantly on the move. He's also naturally talented. If he harnesses that ability this lad could be special.
Utd District: Playmaking, inventiveness, quick feet, close control, eye for a pass, ball shielding, ball retention, the weight of pass, decision making, off-ball movement, work rate and work ethic.
United Hour: He has a lot of technical ability but he's lightweight and still growing, so he might struggle with a physical battle.
What are is weaknesses?
Old Trafford Faithful: Well, Amad is still a little rough around the edges. He has that exuberance of youth, while his decision-making and final ball can sometimes let him down.
Utd District: Lacks explosiveness, ball striking, finishing and physicality.
He is a winger. Is he just a speed merchant or does he have a bit more about him?
Old Trafford Faithful: He does have pace, though there's definitely more to him than that. For example, he shocked us all by scoring a goal with his head on full debut against AC Milan. Nobody expected he'd have that in his locker!
Utd District: Whilst he isn't a slouch by any measure, he doesn’t have the explosive pace of a Marcus Rashford or Raheem Sterling. I'd say his game is a lot more measured, however. He has a real feel for the game; knows when and where to show for the ball but also attacks the space in behind, is good in tight spaces with his close control and shielding of the ball making him a tough player to dispossess. At the business end of things, he has a great final ball, playing reverse passes, clipped or floated crosses or low crosses into the box off either foot. The closest comparison I can make for him would be a young Juan Mata.
Derby manager Wayne Rooney likes players who are committed to the cause and give 100% in training sessions and games. Is Diallo this kind of player?
Old Trafford Faithful: Amad has always struck me as someone who doesn't mind putting the effort in. He'll have to bring that mentality to Derby or simply put, he won't play...
Utd District: Amad is this kind of player. Despite his flairy nature, he doesn’t shy away from the gritty side of things. He is a great ball-winner whether that’s from pressing high or dropping back to help his fullback, his work rate in and of itself is brilliant he doesn’t stop running and he doesn’t shy away from physical duels or 50/50s. If he were to sign, Derby would be getting a player who would buy-in from day one.
Do you think he can adapt to Championship football?
Old Trafford Faithful: Well, it's never a given that players with immense talent can adapt to the Championship level. It's easier said than done, that's for sure. He does have what it takes if the mindset is right, though.
Utd District: He isn't the most physical but I think he’d get up to speed fairly quickly. Like I said he doesn’t shy away from contact and uses his body well it'll just maybe take him a couple of games to get used to the demands of it as he hasn’t played back-to-back games in senior football yet.
What will it take for him to be successful in Derby?
Old Trafford Faithful: I always think a good start is important. Amad has to make the right first impression on his new teammates and coaches. An early goal or two will mean he always has that trust and belief in him from the fans as well.
Utd District: Consistent minutes. He just needs a platform to play and a manager that trusts in his talent, With United he’ll have a promising game then we won't see him for another five or six games. If he is playing week in week out things will just fall into place for him because you get the idea that he is a character that works off of confidence.
If he does sign for Derby, what would you think would make it a successful loan spell for him?
Old Trafford Faithful: Regular playing time. These loan moves are a waste for the parent club unless the player is starting games week-in-week-out. It's down to Amad and Amad alone to make that happen.
Utd District: His starting the majority of games that Derby have remaining would be the best-case scenario. I Hope is he can develop the physical and tactical side of the game. The Championship is one of the best leagues in the world for cultivating young talent so getting back a matured and confident Amad will be seen as a success.
United Hour: I'd actually prefer for him to stay in England rather than go abroad - he's good enough to be playing first team football somewhere. He just needs to play. The worst thing would be for him to go and sit on the bench elsewhere.
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