Bailly on role he played in Diallo signing for Man Utd

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Aug 2021 14:23 BST
• 2 min read

Amad Diallo finds himself at Manchester United partly thanks to Eric Bailly, the defender explained.

Diallo has impressed since arriving from Atalanta in the January transfer window. In his first two matches for the Under-23 side, he netted three goals and set up three more.

Off the back of these displays, the 18-year-old has been introduced into the first team. On Thursday, he scored his first goal for the club with a looping header from a Bruno Fernandes pass in a 1-1 Europa League draw against Milan.

Bailly, though, says he had a role to play in the recruitment of his teenage Ivory Coast compatriot.

Speaking to Sky Sports about Diallo, he said: “I knew him before and I remember when manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer talked to me about the guy.

Amad Diallo v Milan

“I know the guy, he’s very humble. He’s quiet, he doesn’t speak a lot.

“For me, I didn’t think twice. I said to the boss: ‘Yes, he’s a good guy, he’s got the talent.’

“Just keep him and everyone will enjoy him for his talent.

“I do everything for him – agent, big brother!

“It’s okay, I’m happy for him.”

Solskjaer on Diallo

Solskjaer, meanwhile, has also praised Diallo in recent times.

Speaking after the youngster netted against Milan, he told BT Sport: “”He’s a young boy with a big future. You can see day in, day out he is starting to improve.

“He is going to be a big player for us.”

Diallo has been tipped in some quarters to earn his first start for Man Utd in Sunday’s Premier League clash against West Ham.