Scout Reports

What impact can Amad Diallo have as an FPL asset at Manchester United?

Teenage sensation Amad Diallo is finally joining up with Manchester United after agreeing a £40million move in the summer.

After spending all season hoping Borussia Dortmund would lower their asking price for Jadon Sancho, Diallo was one of four players brought in by the Red Devils towards the end of the transfer window.

But anyone thinking of Diallo as a panic buy or a runner’s up prize to the England international could be in for a rude awakening.

The 18-year-old winger has been described by some as a “generational talent” and one of the best players in the world at his age.

He made such an impression at Atlanta in the first half of the season that boss Gian Piero Gasperini was eager to keep him for longer, only for Man United to insist on the move.

This would lead you to believe Diallo will feature straight away in the Man United first-team, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is so far keeping his cards close to his chest.

How the January transfer window and deadline day will affect FPL

“I’ve seen there’s been lots of expectations on Amad and rightly so, an exciting player with fantastic attributes we look forward to developing. It’s important we give him that time to settle in, if it’s in the under-23s or if he looks ready to go into the first team, I don’t know yet.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Prodigy

Not much data exists for us to be able to read much into Diallo’s game, having played just under an hour of senior team football in two appearances.

But already in this time, the youngster got himself onto the scoresheet in Atalanta’s 7-1 demolition of Udinese, cutting in from the right to score with his left foot.

Footage shared widely on social media shows Diallo loves to get the ball on the right hand side before dribbling inside and taking on the full-back.

As for his playing style, former teammates at Atalanta have gone as far as to describe him in the same breath as Lionel Messi.

“He plays like Messi. There are defenders in the first team that sometimes cannot stop him. To stop him in training we have to kick him.”

Papu Gomez

In a piece on The Athletic, Wyscout determine Diallo’s key attributes as excellent close control, a low centre of gravity and lightning quick acceleration.

And far from a one-trick-pony, special mention is given to his ability to go on the outside of the full-back and cross the ball well with his right foot.

According to Wyscout figures, Diallo has attempted 9.01 dribbles per 90 minutes, which is a high amount even for a winger.

The wonderkid is also not fouled very often, showing a hidden strength despite his diminutive appearance and a preference for riding tackles.

All of the above persuaded Solskjaer to part with a large amount for a player relatively untested at senior level, watching him personally in the UEFA Youth League where he terrorised Manchester City.

“We have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game. Manchester United has a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here. It will take him time to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition. He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Prospects

Judging by Ole’s words above, it sounds like Diallo is going to be eased in this season, rather than jumping straight in to the first team set-up.

It may be worth noting another promising winger, Facundo Pellistri (£5.2m), signed in the summer, has yet to feature in the Premier League and has mainly been playing at an Under-23 level.

However, should Diallo impress in training and at the lower levels, the Red Devils’ struggles on the right hand side of their attack may force Solskjaer’s hand in introducing Diallo early.

Mason Greenwood (£7.1m) has struggled to replicate the form he showed last season on the right, and his game suggests he is more suited to a role through the middle.

Greenwood below-par and

Marcus Rashford (£9.6m), Dan James (£6.2m) and Juan Mata (£5.8m) have also been trialled with limited success down United’s right-hand side, with Ole even opting to ditch winger completely in some games and move to a midfield diamond.

But the diamond does not look like it will be a long-term solution, with Solskjaer stating on numerous occasions about how he wants his sides to play with pace and width.

And United hit a purple patch of form with Greenwood in the side last season, allowing him and Rashford to cut inside from wide and Anthony Martial (£8.8m) to play through the middle.

Diallo’s game looks like it suits this system perfectly and he could find himself gaining minutes sooner rather than later and in one of the league’s most potent attacks.

Value

Assuming Diallo comes in around the same value as Pellistri, this puts him in direct competition with a budget enablers such as Tomas Soucek (£5.2m) at West Ham and Raphinha (5.5m) of Leeds.

Without more to go on, it’s difficult to make a case to add Diallo to our teams until we get an idea of how Ole is going to incorporate him.

But should Diallo hit the ground running, he may ironically turn into last season’s Mason Greenwood, the man he is tipped to replace on the right-wing.

1,381 Comments Post a Comment
  1. asdf_1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling benched

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo benched?

      1. asdf_1
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No news yet on him

      2. asdf_1
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Starts

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nice

      3. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Starts according to FPL Rockstar

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely getting Sterling for the dgw now!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Will probs only play one game

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Noooooo

    3. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wowwwwww

    4. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      F my life

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tweet now unavailable. Let's wait or the lineup. All I've seen so far is groundless speculation without viable sources - pheww

  2. Vlekz
      3 years, 2 months ago

      LENO
      cancelo stones cresswell
      salah kdb fernandes soucek GREALISH
      LACA BAMFORD

      FORSTER | DIER BREWSTER FERGUSON

      will take me a -4 to get that.(0.7 ITB)
      Any others hits that make sense?

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I hope gundogan starts

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Me too

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Me three.

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'd argue he's the most nailed on to start this game

      3. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why wouldn't he start.

        He's been their best player.

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Because it’s Pep

        2. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think he will but you never know with pep

      4. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Rockstar confirmed he starts

    • built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo and Stones start, Sterling & Jesus benched

    • Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Supoosedly Brighton close to signing Caicedo

      1. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Another Buddikha player for a Buddikha team

    • asdf_1
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelooooooo

    • Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus benching could mean KDB will play as f9?

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Torres, Silva

      2. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes most likely.

      3. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep, happening anyway cause them other kids are TERRIBLE

    • Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Raahheeeeem

    • 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo, Gundy and Foden start

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kevin?

        1. 1895Reds
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

        2. built_this_city
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          yep

    • WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan will do great this game, one player I wanted so much but couldn't fit in

    • Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I hate pep

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leeds Vs Southampton off

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bloody hell

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Official? Right, time to plan 🙂

      3. built_this_city
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        grrrrrrrrrrr

      4. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good news

      5. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Horror

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo, Dias, KDB (C). Safe and glorious.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same here, let's go!!!!

      2. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        same. currently on net -4 - here's hoping!

      3. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same without FH

      4. Cruyff Turn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same... excited!

    • Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      in other news, leeds vs Southampton to be rescheduled

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh shut the front door.

      2. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Damn

    • Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo starts

    • Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lovely.

    • zorro121
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leeds/Southampton is off

    • Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Raz on the bench

    • DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling Jesus benched. Ouch

    • Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB STARTS!!!

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah to Sterling went well then.

    • NikKaiseR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      According to this site pretty much everyone's playing? Man City XI (4-2-3-1): Moraes, Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo, Guendogan, Hernandez, Silva, Bruyne, Sterling, Jesus

      https://goalballlive.com/man-city-vs-brighton-confirmed-lineup-out-for-both-teams/

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        lol no

      2. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        missing Mahrez

      3. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bad website

      4. NikKaiseR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all, I have been fake newed then!

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Better than nude fakes 😉

    • WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo will blank now lol

    • Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      oh no Mahrez. He gonna haul now

    • BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *sigh*

      Exclusive: #SaintsFC’s FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury is set to go ahead on Tuesday.

      This means the #LUFC game will be moved to a later date, possibly March.

      Story w/@PhilHay_

      @TheAthleticUK

      https://t.co/w586tN2ftk

      1. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        My DGW in tatters. Had 3 Leeds and 2 Soton ffs

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Damn, ruins a chunk of my WC to free hit to BB plan

      3. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Where is that pleb that said Kev rested

        1. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          banned

        2. McSauce
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Agreed, I got a ban for a joke at the deadline yesterday.

          Assume this will recieve the same treatment

      4. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Leeds V Sou rescheduled gives me just 1 game players on the bench. But I do have a full bench. Still worth BB? I think yes... but feels lackluster after all this planning.

        1. Ragabolly
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Don't think so. Chances are another game or two will be postponed and then your bb becomes useless

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Its only useless if the players who already have only 1 game gets postponed.

      5. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sterling benched

      6. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes Foden! Mega haul please