Patience pays off for Amad Diallo as Manchester United winger starts to shine

Amad Diallo says he found it hard to bide his time at Manchester United but the talented youngster is delighted his patience is finally reaping rewards.

Signed from Atalanta as a teenager in a €20 million (£18.7 million) deal that could reach €41 million (£36.3 million) with add-ons, the fleet-footed winger enjoyed a promising start to life at Old Trafford.

Diallo played eight times after linking up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United in January 2021 but injuries, loans to Rangers and Sunderland, and competition restricted his progress at the club.

Now 21, the Ivory Coast international is finally making his mark with the Red Devils.

Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal was his first Premier League start for three years and was followed up by another on Wednesday, when his rocket helped secure a much-needed 3-2 win against Newcastle.

“As a player you need to be patient,” Diallo said. “It’s not easy every time, you train hard but you don’t get what you want.

“I was training every day hard waiting for my chance and today I get my chance and score and I’m very happy for that.

“I go step by step. I know this year was not easy for me because I didn’t play a lot. The most important thing was to go step by step and when you get your chance you fight for the team and help the team.”

A scorer of great goals.#MUFC || #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/yr6FMxbpgo

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2024

Diallo has made 11 appearances for United this term, with the peak undoubtedly his last-gasp winner off the bench in the stunning 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool.

The winger’s sending-off for his celebrations provided a bump in the road after seeing the start of his season ruined by a pre-season injury.

An exciting loan spell at