Man United Already Have a ‘Vital’ Forward Despite €235m Summer Spending
The Rising Star Defining Manchester United's Future
Manchester United’s summer transfer window has been marked by strategic investments rather than a frenzy of signings. The Red Devils have focused on quality, bringing in three key players: young left back Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno for €4 million, and two top-tier Premier League forwards – Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo – at a combined cost of nearly €150 million.
Adding to their attacking arsenal is RB Leipzig’s Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, who joins for €85 million (including bonuses). The deal includes a sell-on clause for Leipzig and a future friendly match against United.
Amidst this influx of talent, one player stands out: Amad Diallo.
From Atalanta to Old Trafford:
Diallo's journey began in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, before moving to Italy at a young age. He rose through the ranks at Atalanta, catching Manchester United's attention with his potential. Despite limited first-team opportunities at Atalanta, United paid an initial €21.3 million for Diallo, which could rise to €37 million with bonuses.
His senior debut for United came in February 2021, followed by sporadic appearances before loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland. At Sunderland, under new manager Erik ten Hag's predecessor, he blossomed, netting 14 goals and providing 4 assists across all competitions – becoming the club’s top scorer.
Amad's Resurgence:
When Ten Hag was dismissed in October, Diallo went from rotational player to a vital fixture under Ruben Amorim. He scored his first brace for United under Ruud van Nistelrooy before excelling as both a right wingback and attacking midfielder. He delivered late goals against Liverpool and Manchester City and even achieved the feat of scoring a hat-trick – something only Cristiano Ronaldo had accomplished for United previously.
"It’s no surprise what he’s doing now,” stated Mitchell van der Gaag, who served as Ten Hag's assistant from 2021 to 2024. “We knew about his qualities. In our first year, he joined Sunderland on loan and struggled at the beginning, but he was really good in the end, and then he came back and wanted to stay with us.”
Ten Hag’s Belief:
Van der Gaag confirmed that Erik ten Hag always believed in Diallo's potential. "I know Erik always believed in his potential," Van der Gaag revealed in an exclusive interview. "Even if he couldn’t give him more minutes at the time, we worked with him. Sometimes, you have players who develop quicker than other players…but he was always willing to listen. He was always prepared to do stuff, as you saw at the end of last season where he scored the winner vs. Liverpool."
Diallo's progress was temporarily halted by an ankle injury in February, but he returned three months later, scoring against Brentford and Aston Villa while assisting against Athletic Club. By the time the UEFA Europa League Final arrived, he had secured a starting place.
The Future is Bright:
With Sesko, Cunha, Mbuemo, and Bruno Fernandes forming United's formidable attack, Diallo is projected to play a key role as right wingback in the 2025/26 season. At just 23 years old, he is poised for continued success with Manchester United and his national team, the Ivory Coast, who are aiming to defend their AFCON title.