Following meetings with manager Erik ten Hag this summer, Amad Diallo said he would want to remain at Manchester United “for life”.
Following back-to—-course loans at Sunderland and Rangers, the Ivory Coast winger just made 12 appearances for United previous season.
Diallo is resolved to push his claim for a regular first-team role after chatting with Ten Hag; he had a great end to the season after scoring an amazing injury-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.’It has to be Amad’s year,’ the United manager declared, following the 22-year-old’s pivotal performance in United’s Edinburgh triumph over Rangers and then starting him against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this weekend.
Speaking early on Thursday morning before United’s second tour game against Real Betis in San Diego, Diallo thinks he might have a long-term future at Old Trafford.Indeed, why not he remarked? Here, I’m quite content. I grin with everyone and have great energy, hence I believe everyone is delighted with me. Why not spend all my life here?
“I am so eager. I have faith in the manager. Although I knew last season I played little, everyone will have a great season this one.
‘We spoke, and he said me nice things during our wonderful chat. Everyone regards the manager as a decent man. Sometimes I talk to him and he makes me quite confident.
Last summer, Diallo’s US trip soured when he was hurt in the opening game against Arsenal in New Jersey and underwent knee surgery that kept him out until December.
Now, though, he is prepared to challenge Antony and Jadon Sancho for a right wing spot.
‘Everyone wants to play, hence in training you should do all to battle and start in the XI,’ he said.
The manager decides on the bench and the pitch last since our team consists of good players and professionals. You have to get ready.
Getting an injury in pre-season last season was not simple for me. Though I was gone for a long period, the most crucial thing was returning stronger to support the team. Ultimately, I felt pleased with my participation. I am concentrating about the current today; I forgot the past.The high point was that spectacular winner against Liverpool as United progressed to win the FA Cup. Diallo was questioned whether he had often viewed it back-through.
Indeed, he said, quite a lot of times. The most significant aim of my life was that one. Getting that goal made me very delighted. Still now, I find it unbelievable.
‘I felt confident; at last the management started to believe in me and play a lot.’
Diallo, who joined United for Atalanta in 2021 in a contract worth up to £37.2million, has become good friends with United’s other young players Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund and thinks they will be the backbone of the team for years to come.
‘I hope so,’ he responded. The manager thinks of the players, of myself. He brought Garnacho two years ago, gave him much of game time, Kobbie last season, and this season he will add another young academy player.
“The manager believes a lot in young players; thus, I hope this season will provide me a lot of game time; but, it’s for me to prove myself in training and to start the team.”
Given our young status as players, I believe the link is strong. Though I have an excellent rapport with every player, I spend far more time with them than with other players.
Like me, Rasmus is a decent person from Atalanta. My agent is Kobbie; Garna and I share this too. I’m glad to be on that team as Kobbie is a gorgeous man.