Amad Diallo: Man Utd come to decision over winger’s future as Red Devils make quartet available for loans
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has decided to once again make young winger Amad Diallo available for loan this season – and he looks set to join three other young stars in departing Old Trafford in the coming weeks.
The 20-year-old Ivorian joined United in January 2021 following the club’s failure to land Jadon Sancho the previous summer. Paying largely for the winger’s potential, the Red Devils forked out an initial £21m (€25m) to sign him from Atalanta. And incentives could end up costing United up to £33.5m (€40m) if the player proves a success.
He initially caught the eye when handed his chance under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during their run to the Europa League final. However, after failing to get regular games last season, United opted to loan Diallo out to Rangers for the second half of the season.
At Ibrox, he made a total of 13 appearances, scoring three goals in that time.
Now back at Old Trafford, Diallo has been looking to make an impression on new boss Ten Hag. However, after holding talks with the Dutchman and his agent, a decision has been made to send Diallo back out on loan.
The player’s agent is now in the process of trying to find him a new club where he can increase his game-time.
And he won’t be the only young star due to depart Old Trafford this summer. As such, trusted transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claims he is one of three players told they can move out on loan ahead of the new season.
“I believe there’s a good chance Tahith Chong, Facundo Pellistri, and Amad Diallo will all go on loan this summer,” he told Caught Offside.
Ethan Laird to beat Amad Diallo out Man Utd exit door
All three players have seemingly been told to use their forthcoming spells away to make a point to Ten Hag.
Diallow, however, will not be the next young star to secure a route out of Old Trafford.
That ‘honour’ is due to fall upon Ethan Laird, with the right-back due to join Watford on a season’s loan.
The 20-year-old academy graduate is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Red Devils. As a result, he too is being granted a loan move to further his experience.
As per Romano, Laird is likely to finalise his move to Vicarage Road in the coming days. It will be the youngster’s third forray into the Championship and fourth time he has departed the club on loan.
His previous spells have seen him take in stints at Swansea and Bournemouth during the 2021/22 season.
Next season crucial for quartet of United youngsters
Truth be told, all four players face a tough ask in ultimately forging a career for themselves at Old Trafford.
They will need to use their spells away – wherever they may end up – as a platform for themselves. They need it to not only give themselves more belief, but also to give Ten Hag a headache.
On the plus side, the new United boss is a big believer in promoting youth. He showed time and again that he was prepared to give youngsters the opportunity to make their name. The old mantra – if you’re good enough, you’re old enough – was certainly true at Ajax.
Indeed, the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Jurrien Timber all forged their way through Ajax’s youth ranks.
It will be a big ask, however for Laird, Chong, Pellestri and Diallo to make the same impact, however.
In Diallo’s case especially, he carries much expectation on his shoulders. As a relative unknown, he suddenly found himself the centre of attention once a move to Manchester United went through.
Clearly talented, he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. And while his time at Rangers was a mixed bag, he will hope his next spell away allows him to showcase his clear and obvious talent.
