Sometimes, a career can be characterised by a single moment. For Amad Diallo, that moment came against Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter final clash at Old Trafford last season.
The young winger had missed most of the season due to a knee injury suffered in pre-season. Named on the bench for the cup tie, Amad Diallo was introduced with just five minutes of normal time remaining as the Red Devils trailed 2-1.
Antony sent the game to extra time before two more goals made it 3-3 and penalties beckoned.
Up stepped the Ivorian. United went on the counter in the dying embers, with Alejandro Garnacho playing the ball into Diallo. He took one touch before slotting home the winner with his left foot, sending Old Trafford into raptures.
It was a goal that has proved to be a catalyst for the winger to finally make his mark at United under Rúben Amorim.
Championship loan spell was the making of Diallo
Eyebrows were raised when Ole Gunnar Solskjær signed the 18-year-old starlet from Atalanta, paying an initial fee of £19m to land the player.
Nine appearances during his first 12 months in Manchester suggested Diallo hadn’t exactly received a fair crack at the whip, leading to a six-month loan spell at Rangers between January and May 2022.
A goal five minutes into his debut for the Light Blues should have kickstarted his career, unfortunately, this would be as good as it got for the teenager in Scotland.
He failed to even make an appearance off the bench during the Europa League Final, an occasion when his pace and explosiveness may have been a key asset in extra time. Returning to United at the end of the season, it was evident his next loan move had to be a success.
As such, Sunderland proved to be an ideal destination for Diallo to finally showcase his extraordinary talents. The Ivorian spent the entirety of the 2022/23 season at the Black Cats, coming close to leading them back to the Premier League.
Bearing in mind the club had only just returned to the second tier, Diallo’s 13 league goals fired them to a sixth place finish, thus qualifying for the playoffs.
Furthermore, Diallo ranked in the top 5% for successful dribbles and goals throughout the campaign, while registering 1.39 chances created along with 4.94 touches of the ball in the opposition penalty area per game.
Momentum was hampered after suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal during a pre-season clash against Arsenal in July 2023. Despite his fine season in the North East, it appeared as though his luck was running out to make an impression at Old Trafford.
Step forward Amorim.
Rúben Amorim has brought out the best in Diallo
Ahead of the current season, it was now or never for the 22-year-old. Failing to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI would likely have ensured his exit from the club.
Fully recovered from his injury, the winger finally got the chance he had been waiting for under Erik ten Hag, grabbing it with both hands. A goal against Brighton in just the second league match of the season saw the youngster at his best.
Racing on to a through ball, Diallo took a touch before cutting inside on his left foot, unleashing a shot which, courtesy of a deflection, nestled into the back of the net.
A brace against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League followed in November, yet it has been under Amorim that the former Atalanta sensation has played his best football.
At Sporting, Amorim relied heavily on Viktor Gyökeres. The Swede soon emerged as a talisman for the manager, scoring 43 goals and recording 13 assists for the Portuguese side as they won another domestic title.
Although Diallo operates in a different position to Gyökeres, Amorim has given the player a platform to demonstrate just how good he can be.
Indeed, 11 goal contributions – six goals and five assists – have been recorded in just 19 matches under Amorim. His impact in the big matches has arguably been even more impressive.
Against Manchester City in December, United trailed 1-0, before Diallo scored a late winner to seal all three points. During that match, he also took four shots, won the penalty that saw the club equalise while even making four passes into the final third.
Another late goal came against Liverpool a few weeks ago. During the 2-2 draw, the winger succeeded with 100% of his crosses and dribble attempts as well as taking five touches in the opposition penalty area. Shining on the big stage has bolstered his long term prospects at the club.
Amorim’s typical 3-4-3 system sees the 22-year-old operate in his preferred position on the right flank, which has been a key aspect to his stunning form over the previous few months.
Diallo’s selfless nature means he ranks in the top 10% in the top flight for both assists and successful passes. Additionally, a 44.7% cross accuracy ranks him in the top 3%, while Amorim’s philosophy is clearly working wonders for the African winger, who has won possession 26 times in the final third along with taking 124 touches in the opposition penalty area.
The 40-year-old has endured a tricky start to life in Manchester. If he can get Diallo to maintain his level of performance over the next few months, he may have found his new Gyökeres-like talisman.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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