Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hints at Man Utd debut for Amad Diallo
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reiterated that January signing Amad Diallo is not far away from an eagerly anticipated debut, after taking well to training since his arrival from Atalanta, putting him on a ‘different’ path to fellow teenage Facundo Pellistri.
18-year-old Diallo had made only a handful of senior appearances for Atalanta prior to his £38.5m transfer to Old Trafford, but he is incredibly highly rated and is now giving Solskjaer every reason to throw him into the mix sooner rather than later.
United’s caution not to ask too much too soon of their new talents means that Pellistri is still waiting for his first-team bow since joining in October. That debut might have come in the FA Cup third round against Watford had a positive coronavirus test not ruled him out.
Although named on the first-team bench twice, the Uruguayan has only had the chance to impress with the Under-23 squad, but it has been noted that he may have already outgrown that level.
There was talk earlier this week of a possible loan for Pellistri to get the senior playing time he needs, with Celta Vigo and Lyon among potential destinations. It has been said that United would be wary of sending him to the Championship due to the league’s particularly physical nature.
“There have been talks, there have been quite a few clubs interested in Facundo to go out on loan. That’s maybe something we will let him do now. He’s had a few games in the reserves. We want him to have regular football, of course, at a higher level,” Solskjaer confirmed, via ManUtd.com.
But fans can perhaps expect to see Diallo sooner. As soon as the youngster began training this month, Solskjaer fielded questions about a possible debut and hinted it could be within a few weeks.
The United boss has been given no reason to change his mind since.
“With Amad, I think it’s a different scenario [to Pellistri], he’s just come in and he’s going through a good training regime, training programme, and he’s doing really well. It won’t be too long, I feel, before I can bring him into the squad,” Solskjaer said.
When will Amad Diallo make his Man Utd debut?
Knowing that Diallo is on the verge of being called in, United fans will be scanning the calendar trying to looks for upcoming fixtures that might present an opportunity for him make his debut.
This week’s clash with Sheffield United might come too soon, but the upcoming Europa League last 32 legs against Real Sociedad on 18 and 25 February could offer that chance.
What is Amad Diallo’s FIFA 21 rating?
Although his card is not available in FIFA Ultimate Team, Diallo has been added to the United squad on other FIFA 21 game modes and is rated at 64.
His best attributes are pace (78) and dribbling (72), which is to be expected as a winger. He is left footed but his has a weak foot rating of four stars, meaning he is pretty adept with his right. The youngster also has a three-star skills rating.
Career mode gamers will see Diallo become a star in the future, with 84 for overall potential.
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