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

    Knew the risks in going with Foden on FH but he’s been one of the main reasons for their turn around I form. That’s the only logic I could see to making the punt worthwhile.

    Excited for this game now!

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

      I tried to get him in over Saka but meant having to own a Newcastle defender instead of Stones so decided against it. Hoping he comes good!

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

        True.. I dropped Cancelo to afford him so need an attacking return to make it worthwhile.

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

          You went Cancelo -> Foden? I know it's FH, but that's brassy! So double City attack + def then?

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

          paid off 🙂

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

      I did the same but would have much preferred Mahrez if he started.

      Remains to be seen what happens now

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

        Yep, much bigger risk given the +2m difference. Could easily haul though.

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

          Rejoice! 🙂

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

    ABORT THE BENCH BOOST GW19

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

      why?

    2. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gonna go ahead with mine with 12/13 DGW players and 3/2 single instead. I think it's still the best time for me to play it.

  3. FPL.team
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Almost sure the Leeds game is postponed now so that's 3 of my DGW players down. Still play Harrison against Brighton (decent game) or switch to someone with a double up to 5.4m that isn't Soucek. Only options I can see really are Lookman which doesn't inspire me.

  4. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez 3 attacking returns

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

    The way this season is going I think Ill just keep my strong full 15 man squad that was initially intended for the BB just to be able to roll the random covid cases.

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

      Might as well - better safe than sorry this season.

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

      Doubt it. Reckon this'll be history before gw19 is out 😉

  6. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All that planning to have 3 Leeds players for the DGW for nothing. So bloody annoying.

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

      Same boat..

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

      Think I’ll still BB

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

      Is it done?

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      its good for me though as i made my wc with assuming there will be no leeds double.

  7. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When will we have info about AstonV vs Everton going ahead/prosponed?

  8. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I've never done a triple up until today, it's either going to be an epic fail or a massive haul

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

    Sterling doesn't tend to come off the bench that often when benched, do remember him grabbing a G+A vs Newcastle post restart though so there's still hope!

  10. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Potter and Guardiola should get a room

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

    Worth a BB with Raphinia, Bamford, Dallas and Johnstone on the bench?

    Full team of dgwers apart from Son

    1. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      defo

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

    City have scored 7 second half goals in their last 3 matches against Brighton, 4 of those were after 60 minutes. Bring on the man Pep and let him go to work

  13. Canarinha
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wondering if I should swap Stones for another defender to get Gundo? (kdb and cancelo other City assets already in)

  14. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only bamford and mccarthy from the soton leeds so im assumig it doesnt hurt me much?

  15. FCRS BGD
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys
    For Draft league, who would you pick
    1) Raphinha
    2) Mahrez ?

    Thanks

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

    I actually feel like KDB is less useful FPL wise playing as a striker. Assists are his main threat and he is less likely to deliver them because if he is the striker, it will be the players behind him doing the assisting and as has been shown in recent games, his finishing in front of goal has been poor.

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

      He was more a trequartista a la Totti/false 9 more than a striker, dropping down a bit. Could definitely haul playing that role

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

      The further up the pitch he is the better. He creates wherever he is on the pitch - more chance of goal

  17. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundo position then boys? Deep or No. 8 role?

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

      8

  18. joey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got Sterling on FH and captained him as a gamble. Misfire, I imagine him getting a solitary point

  19. Canarinha
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundo or Stones as third City asset? canc-kdb other 2

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

      Let's watch the game and then decide?

  20. hueycho
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lets go (K)DB!!!

  21. Canarinha
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    useless Mahrez