Amad Diallo makes his Manchester United debut in Real Sociedad romp

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:44 CDT
• 2 min read

Amad Diallo has made his long-awaited first-team debut for Manchester United.

Diallo, who was signed from Atalanta in January for £37 million – the biggest deal of the month – was given the final seven minutes of United’s Europa League last-32 first-leg encounter against Real Sociedad.

The 18-year-old came into play with Man Utd already 3-0 to the good, and they added a fourth through Dan James while the young forward was on the park.

It was his first competitive first-team football since turning out for Atalanta in a 1-1 Champions League draw against Midtjylland in December.

In the meantime, he has been playing a starring role for Manchester United’s Under-23 side. He hit the ground running for the young Red Devils, scoring a brace on debut against Liverpool, then versus Blackburn he chipped in with a goal and three assists.

As such, a buzz has been growing around the young forward.

During his seven-minute cameo, he managed to take seven touches, while he completed the only pass he attempted. Meanwhile, he showed a strong willingness to take responsibility and carry the ball, taking three dribbles.

An element of the rawness in his game, however, was evident as he failed to win any one of the four duels he attempted during his time on the field.

Man Utd’s margin of success means that the door is open for the likes of Diallo to feature from the outset in next week’s return leg. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to be willing to take too many risks with his leading stars just three days before a big Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.