Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Amad Diallo moved to Italy at a young age, where he began his football career with the amateur club Boca Barco.
His talent was evident from the start, catching the eye of scouts from major Serie A clubs.
Diallo joined Atalanta’s youth system in 2015, showcasing his skills and winning two Campionato Primavera 1 titles.
His performances in the youth ranks were outstanding, leading to his senior team debut in 2019 at just 17 years old. He scored on his Serie A debut, becoming the first player born in 2002 to do so.
- The Move to Manchester United
In January 2021, Manchester United secured Diallo from Atalanta for a fee that could rise to £37 million.
Despite the high expectations, Diallo’s initial integration into the first team was cautious.
He made his United debut in the Europa League against Real Sociedad and scored his first goal for the club against AC Milan in the same competition.
- Loan Spells
To gain regular playing time, Diallo was loaned out to Rangers for the second half of the 2021/22 season, where he made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut.
The following season, he joined Sunderland in the Championship, where he truly flourished, scoring 14 goals in 42 appearances and earning the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
- The Struggles Under Ten Hag
After a serious injury kept him out for the first half of the 2023/24 season, Diallo made his return to the Manchester United squad.
Under Erik ten Hag, Diallo found game time hard to come by. Despite his potential, he was often overlooked for starts, even after moments like his stoppage-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Diallo’s integration into the first team was slow. Ten Hag’s preference for other wingers like Antony meant Diallo was frequently on the bench or used as an impact substitute.
This period was marked by frustration for Diallo, with many fans and pundits questioning his lack of opportunities.
- Amad’s Resurgence Under Ruben Amorim
The arrival of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United’s manager marked a significant turning point for Diallo.
Amorim’s tactical setup, often involving a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation, seemed to suit Diallo perfectly.
Amad was given a new role as a right wing-back, which allowed him to showcase his versatility, pace, and directness.
- Diallo’s performances have been transformative under Amorim
In his first few games under Amorim, Diallo has proven to be a versatile and dynamic player, capable of playing as a wingback or as a central attacking midfielder.
His adaptability has been crucial with consistent world class performances.
In the recent Manchester derby match, Amad Diallo won the penalty to tie the game and scored the winner two minutes later for Man Utd.
Amad showed the world that he’s going to be a superstar real soon. He’s a superstar already for real.
The narrative around Diallo has shifted from one of potential not fully realized to one of a player central to United’s new tactical approach, with Amorim’s system playing to his strengths.
This change is seen as a direct contrast to his experience under Ten Hag, where his talents were not as effectively utilized.
Amad Diallo’s journey, through the challenges faced under one manager to the opportunities provided by another, showcases the impact of coaching on a player’s career growth & trajectory.