Manchester United could proclaim to possess something of a knack for unearthing promising young talent across the globe and drawing them toward Old Trafford, developing their skills and unleashing them onto the Premier League with devastating effect.
One such member of this group at present is Alejandro Garnacho with the young Argentine truly bursting onto the scene this term, scoring two senior goals, including a late strike against Fulham that helped United win the game.
But there is another lively and energetic winger now staking their claim. That is Amad Diallo, who is currently riding a vibrant purple patch on loan at Championship outfit Sunderland.
The 20-year-old Diallo, who signed for the Red Devils for an initial £19m in January 2021, has failed to break into the Red Devils’ first-team with regularity as of yet, but has been flourishing while out on loan with Sunderland, where he has emerged as a vital offensive force as the club look to record a respectable finish in their first campaign since achieving promotion from League One.
After failing to score across his first eight appearances for the Black Cats, Diallo has now netted five times, serving one assist, over his past seven outings for the club, flourishing down the right flank.
The Ivorian ace has been a constant thorn in the side of his opponents, averaging 1.5 shots per game, creating two big chances and retaining the ball in his forward-thinking role with an average of 84% per game.
And FBref states that Diallo’s pass completion actually ranks within the top 2% of any attacking midfielders or wingers across Europe’s next eight leagues, while his rate of non-penalty goals sits within the top 6%.
One can only imagine the destructive impact the starlet might have alongside Garnacho and indeed their playmaking colleague Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese maestro’s creative flair among the best in the game.
Fernandes, who ranks within the top 5% for attempted passes and the top 11% for progressive passes when compared to positional peers, in relation to the aforementioned constraints of FBref’s statistical analysis, could provide that ball-playing prowess that Diallo needs, licence to push forward and offer a direct threat, with the 28-year-old the orchestrator.
In Diallo’s most recent outing, a 2-1 home loss to West Bromwich Albion, the young ace won the penalty and converted the goal that gave his side the early lead, and despite the loss, his influence does indeed continue to grow.
The “outstanding” budding talent, as lauded by journalist Josh Bunting, alongside his goal, completed 89% of his passes and succeeded with four of his eight dribble attempts, often looking like the main source of offensive drive for the club.
United manager Erik ten Hag will be delighted with what is turning into a very impressive loan spell, and he will be veritably licking his lips at the prospect of integrating and unleashing yet another glistening talent into the fold, one that could prosper with the likes of Fernandes pulling the strings just behind him.
