Man Utd told to be ‘patient’ with Amad Diallo

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Amad Diallo should not be rushed into first-team action for Manchester United, according to Under-23 Neil Wood.

Since signing from Atalanta in January for in a £37 million deal that included bonuses, Diallo has caught the eye playing for the young team. Indeed, with three goals and three assists in two matches, his contribution has been outstanding.

Diallo was called into the squad to face West Ham in the FA Cup, and while he did not make his Man Utd debut, he is clearly in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s thinking.

Nevertheless, Wood has called on a patient approach for the 18-year-old sensation.

“You see Diallo has ability and he’s linking up well,” he said. “He doesn’t really have a relationship with any of these boys here, but he came to Liverpool on Saturday and did well and the same against Blackburn.

“He’s training with the first team and doing well and he’s still new to England and the style of football so it’s going to take time. Like all young players you have to be patient with them. He’s gaining more confidence as the days go on.”

Diallo has resolved a pressing off-field issue this week as he was handed a hefty fine for his involvement in a false documentation scandal as he arrived in Italy.

He has been training with the first team, though, and Solskjaer is pleased with how he is settling in.

Asked how Diallo is getting on, the manager said: “Very good. He can handle the ball, he has enjoyed training and makes a difference in training, which is quite remarkable at his age.

“There will need to be some adjustment to settle into the hustle and bustle of the physical part of the Premier League but I can’t see it being too long until he’s in the squad.”

Diallo’s next Man Utd action could be in an Under-23 match against Arsenal on Friday, or he may feature for the first team in the Premier League against West Brom away on Sunday.