Amad Diallo delighted with growing on-field connection with Kobbie Mainoo | OneFootball

Manchester United’s man of the moment, Amad Diallo, has spoken glowingly of his fledgling partnership with fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford.

It has been a rollercoaster of a season for the young Ivorian as he picked up a serious injury in preseason and did not make an appearance until the last game of 2023 against Nottingham Forest.

The next few months persisted with regular appearances in the matchday squad but few real chances given to impact proceedings.

The highlight of his season arrived though on St Patrick’s Day when he scored a last-gasp winner against Liverpool to take the roof off Old Trafford and his side into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Despite only playing 11 matches all season, the Ivorian has been much more involved as of late for Erik ten Hag’s team.

He has played in six consecutive matches and he has even started the last two matches. Ten Hag’s belated faith in the player seems to be paying off as he grabbed a goal and an assist on Wednesday night versus Newcastle United.

Diallo provided Kobbie Mainoo with a beautifully disguised ball to open the scoring against the Magpies and speaking to The Manchester Evening News, he spoke of the strong relationship they have built up on the pitch.

“In the training, we try to play together, to make that combination in the training, when we play together like today we try and to make the same things like in the training,” he said.

“We are young players, we are motivated to shine here and I hope to continue like this. It’s important to have Kobbie Mainoo in the team.”

“He’s a good player and I have a good relationship with him outside of the pitch, with him and Garnacho. We are happy to play together.”

Discussing his difficult start to the year after enjoying such an incredible one on loan at Sunderland last season he commented, “it was not easy for me, to get injured in pre-season, I was in Sunderland where I did well and I wanted to come here and help my team.”

“I got that injury and I was a little bit sad but now I want to forget that moment, it was one of my most difficult moments. Now I’m happy to be back and hope to help the team for the rest of the season.”

The young Ivorian, who has had to be more patient than most, discussed how vital this trait has been in his time at Old Trafford.

“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.”

“As a player you need to be patient, 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.”

The 21 year old has quickly become a fan favourite, who marvel at his close control and tricky movements, which make him stand out in comparison to the more direct, powerful attackers at the club such as Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Amad will continue to hope to make his mark in the final two matches of the season and will certainly dream of creating another magic FA Cup moment, but this time at Wembley in six days’ time.

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