It’s often easy to forget that Amad Diallo is only 23. In the five years since he joined Manchester United from Atalanta for a reported £19m (about $25m) plus add-ons, the winger has seen plenty of ups and downs.
Once a much-hyped prospect, Amad struggled to earn minutes at United in his first season with the club and was soon sent out on loan to Rangers and Sunderland. Now, three years since he returned to Manchester, Amad is no longer sidelined or dismissed; he has become a difference maker.
To see Amad today is to see an emblem of hard work, guile, and skill, a man transformed from squad player to star. His impact extends far beyond the Premier League: at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), he made himself Côte d’Ivoire’s No 1 man.
In the 2025-26 season, no Red Devils player has provided more progressive carries, per FBref. Because of this, Amad has become imperative to United’s buildup: when opposing teams implement a high press and force passes out wide, it’s often Amad who receives the ball, beats a defender and drives upfield. And when defenses allow the long ball from goalkeeper Senne Lammens to target man Benjamin Šeško, Amad frequently collects the second ball or makes a supporting run. Even in open play, the winger floats around, providing both an outlet to the backline and a vertical threat in behind.
Many of these moments have come as a result of Amad being pushed to a more defensive wing-back role in Ruben Amorim’s system. In the first half of the 2024-25 season – prior to the Portuguese manager’s first game in charge – Amad averaged 1.01 attempted take-ons per 90 minutes across all club competitions. In the second half of the season, that number rose to 4.28.
This increase is reflective of a broader change in the Ivorian’s demeanor; under Amorim, either when playing as a second No 10 or out at wing-back, Amad showed a heightened confidence and willingness to dribble at defenders. His passing improved, too. In 2024-25, he ranked 16th in key passes per 90 among Premier League players with a minimum of 450 minutes played. He also ranked 17th in actions directly leading to shots. This season, it’s only gotten better.
Amad now ranks 11th in key passes and sixth in shot-creating actions – his production is second to only Bruno Fernandes among United players. Fernandes, 31, may be coming to the end of his time at United, with transfer speculation arising every window, and it’s unclear how the club would replace the captain if and when he leaves. Amad, having shown an ability to orchestrate attacks, could be part of the solution.
That being said, the Ivorian has struggled to score in the Premier League this season. He has just two goals in approximately 1,200 minutes, but that can also be read as a natural consequence of the aforementioned positional switch. If Amad is to step into a greater role in coming seasons, though, the end product must improve.
Indeed, the days of Amad at wing-back may soon be over. With Amorim’s dismissal, tactics will surely change, as will Amad’s position. This could result in a more attacking role. And if his performance in that kind of role at Afcon is anything to go by, it could be a positive sign of what’s in store once he returns to Manchester.
Simply put, Amad took Afcon by storm. In four starts, he notched three goals and an assist, leading his squad to an undefeated group stage and a round-of-16 win over Burkina Faso before falling to Egypt in the quarter-final. While Côte d’Ivoire’s roster has plenty of talent, no one has come close to rivaling Amad’s proficiency. His eagerness in the final third led to 5.17 shots and 0.45 xG per 90 minutes, per Opta. No other player in the tournament has taken more shots per 90 minutes than Amad, and his three goals will surely leave him among the tournament’s top scorers by the time it’s over.
One such strike came off of a rapid counter attack against Cameroon, when Amad carried the ball at speed, cut in and effortlessly curled a shot past the goalkeeper. That goal was the only one of the game for Côte d’Ivoire, and while Cameroon soon equalized, Amad’s impact proved to be crucial in securing a point that would help the defending champions lock up first place in their group.
Amad’s magic in the final third and progression through wide channels is difficult to replace in a team already packed with talent. On the continental stage, Amad has proved that he is fit for the spotlight.
Just a few days ago, in a post-game press conference, Amad said: “I’m not trying to be Ivory Coast’s best player.” Too late.
Note: All data accurate as of 9 January 2026.
