Switching from Italy to England can be very complicated for young players – especially if you’re joining one of the biggest clubs in the world. Manchester United have invested a lot of money (around $25 million plus bonuses) in Ivorian winger Amad Diallo in January 2021 but are yet to see their faith in the African pay off. But the 19-year-old will get his chance these days.Amad Diallo’s long road from the streets of Abidjan to Old TraffordFormer Sunderland loanee, who celebrated his 21st birthday today, could be handed an opportunity to impress Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag after being named in the squad for the Red Devils’ first friendly of the pre-season. The former Atalanta starlet was a big hit during his season-long loan with the Black Cats last season. He scored 14 goals and made four assists as the club finished sixth and reached the play-off semi-finals.The red-and-whites from the northeast of England would have loved to take the winger for another year, but Ten Hag has decided to take another look at the African prospect and see if he could count on the tricky forward in the near future.Amad Diallo with his Manchester United themed cake.Happy 21st Birthday, Amad. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sWH9XwooGb— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) July 11, 2023 Manchester United face Leeds United in a friendly in Norway at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion on Wednesday – and Amad has been included in the squad. After that, he is expected to travel to Edinburgh for a friendly against Olympique Lyonnais. If everything goes well, Amad will be on the plane to the United States of America with his teammates for the next leg of their pre-season preparations as they take on Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund on American soil.##NAJAVA_MECA_7365334##Diallo has so far made four appearances for the Elephants of Ivory Coast.Erik Ten Hag’s full squad for the Leeds United friendly:Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Nathan Bishop, Matej Kovar.Defenders: Alvaro Fernandez, Rhys Bennett, Will Fish, Marc Jurado, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams.Midfielders: Toby Collyer, Fred, Dan Gore, Hannibal, Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Maxi Oyedele, Charlie Savage.Forwards: Amad Diallo, Noam Emeran, Omari Forson, Joe Hugill, Jadon Sancho, Shola Shoretire.
