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. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling and Jesus benched - rest predictable. good good

  2. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Feck off Raz.

  3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is that Razza benched i see 😀

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

      You get your jollies from a player with 6% EO benched?

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I couldn't give a damn about OR. most of my cash league has him. So yes i guess so. Plus think of it as what they could have done with the cash if you care about OR ( totally irrelevant to me )

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

    Lovely. Sterling/Jesus benched, Dias/KDB/Cancelo starts, and Soton/Leeds postponed.

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

    This is the best FPL feeling you can get without a ball being kicked!
    Cancelo, Foden and KDB (c)

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

      Same here. Foden the differential so a mega haul from him would be nice!

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

        I stuck with him for way too long at the start. Time for him to pay back

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

          First time owning this season, was a risk worth taking on FH

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

          Good luck with your rank, didn't realise you were so high. Just checked your team, only difference with our FH teams is you have Shaw and I went Maguire.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck pal, get to that no.1 spot!

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

        You too mate. Will be keeping an eye on your continued rise!

  6. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    One of my last calls on FH was going with Gundo over Foden. Hope this doesn't bite me in the @r§*.

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

      I would have gone Gundo over Foden all day and night

  7. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    3 Villa 3 Leeds players.
    BB cancelled.

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

      Disaster

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

      2 Villa
      3 Leeds
      1 Southampton

      Plans in tatters

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What’s latest news?
      Thought Villa back training Sat?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ^

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      potponements?

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Get in. Kdb captain, Gundo and Dias. Hauls all round plz 🙂 could’ve gone Foden over Gundo but wasn’t worth the risk. GL all

  9. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling 🙁

    Hope he does a Salah and hauls from the bench, but it's doubtful.

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

    Big props to the guy at FFS who is in charge of the article pictures. The man has been doing great work for years and we dont even know who it is who picks them

  11. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Holy cow - Foden starts! I don't think I've ever been on the good side of Pep roulette until now 😀

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No surprises from Pep in a BGW is a blessing.

  13. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The ones who played a late WC in tatters 🙂 unlucky

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

    Sterling nailed then for the DGW?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or dropped

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

      Just get kdb and avoid the stress

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

        Hope he is. I’ll be getting him in

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

        This and pens

  15. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can someone get that Zambian witch doctor to make sure Foden gets injured in the warmup?
    Sincerely,
    A Sterling owner

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

    That Brighton team is awful

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Love to see it

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pep has just violently violated Sterling & Jesus punters

    Although a late 30 mins against tired legs may inadvertently be even better for them

    But still - Pep eh

    1. Lionel Messi of Premier Lea…
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did Rashford out for Sterling. Need him to haul off the bench now

  18. Pinturicchio10
      3 years, 2 months ago

      😆 😆 😆

    • SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB let's gooooo

    • teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Connolly and Welbeck injured and Maupay still can't get a start. Can't believe I owned him early this season...

    • Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL > Antonio for the double?

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Decent

    • Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Couldn’t afford Cancelo and Kdb so he a choice of

      A) Cancelo and Sterling
      Or
      B) Stones and Kdb

      Went with A...

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bruno C fail and Sterling benched leaves me with 4 points and 5 to go...

      2. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ouch

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

        Ouch. You never know

    • Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

      Team to play Brighton: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Rodri, Silva, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden.

      Subs: Steffen, Walker, Mendy, Harwood-Bellis, Mbete, Fernandinho, Torres, Sterling, Jesus.

      BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS

      Team to play Man City: Sanchez, White, Webster, Dunk, Bernardo, Veltman, Propper, Burn, Mac Allister, Tau, Trossard.

      Subs: Walton, Maupay, Gross, March, Zeqiri, Sanders, Jenks, Weir, Khadra.

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

        Kdb forward?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          False 9 I guess like at Chelsea

        2. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Looks like it.

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Foden starts!

        No Sterling????

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Bench

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

        Brighton side looks horrendous

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

        Hope Brighton get destroyed

        Is Tau a striker? Who is Tau? Wtf is this side?

        1. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Recently recalled from loan. Brighton fans rave about him.

        2. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Forward, signed a while ago but had trouble to get his work permit.

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

        Cheers mate, no point posting the Brighton team though lol

      6. djman102
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        "Propper, Burn"

        Let's see if that's what City give the Brighton defense today.

    • WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Didnt go for Sterling even though I wanted too because of that slight injury

    • Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think Dias is due a goal.

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

        That’s why I couldn’t get rid on FH! He’s scoring soon

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

        He and Cancelo are massively due! 2 blanks incoming

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

        100%

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

      Adams to Antonio looks like my move this week and save the BB

    • Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling (C), might as well quit the game

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

        You knew that was a big risk though

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

        Same

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

        You never know if they go crazy he might stay benched and your vc might haul - Kane or son?? Could also score from the bench. GL

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

      They guy who was spreading the news on KDB benched and all since yesterday here, what's all about? Jinx or what?

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

        Just wired wrong is my guess.

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No point paying attention to trolls pal

    • Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep is so irrational it's mad.

      Mahrez is the biggest troll of them all.

      Guess who owns him STILL and FH this week for Sterling???

      Sure enough I'll keep for the double and he will play 30 mins of 180.

      Fools game trying to read Pep.

      Will never learn.

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

      Don't know anything about Tau but that Brighton line up looks awful