Solskjaer sends exciting message about first impressions of Amad Diallo

Amad Diallo

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Amad Diallo is already settling in at Manchester United, but suggested he was more likely to start with the under-23s.

United completed the signing of Diallo in January after reaching an agreement last summer. The winger arrived at Old Trafford from Atalanta.

Diallo had limited first-team experience for Atalanta but showed glimpses of his potential there. For example, he became the first player born in 2002 to score in Serie A.

Now, he will be hoping to make a similar impression at United – where he has been tipped to achieve big things.

Solskjaer may be wanting more patience, but also has high expectations of Diallo and has been impressed with his ability in training so far.

“Amad has looked really comfortable and he’s settled in really well in training,” he told ManUtd.com.

“It shows how technically adept he is and, of course, we’ll give him time to settle and adjust. But hopefully we can see him on the pitch in not too long.

“He’s definitely done well in training.”

 

Despite his progress so far, Diallo may have to drop into the under-23s to get his first taste of football in a United shirt.

That was the pathway taken by summer signing Facundo Pellistri, for example, after he too was brought in with one eye on the future.

Solskjaer has confirmed United are yet to make a decision about what squad Diallo will be in, but says the Ivorian will keep training with the first team for now.

“That’s the decision we have to make with the bubbles and all this,” he said. “They need competitive games and at the moment we don’t have any.

“He will be training [with us] and let’s see when he’ll get his first game-time. If it’s from the bench with us or with the 23s, likely to be the 23s of course.”

Diallo aiming high with United

Amad Diallo

Diallo recently admitted he has ambitious targets for his time at Old Trafford in his first interview with the club.

“I’m over the moon to be here,” he said earlier this week. “I’m so excited to start here at Manchester United. It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to start and play with the guys.

“To be honest I cannot wait. I’m so excited at the prospect of working with these fantastic people at such a great club.

“This adventure is about to start and I’m really, really excited and over the moon.

“I’m a little bit too anxious to say this given it’s just the start [of my time here] but my dream is to win the Premier League and the Champions League with Manchester United. That is my aim and goal.”

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