22 Dec 2020 08:47:38
I hope many are excited about Amad Diallo who will joining us in about two weeks.

I've been told he is a real gem and can even come straight into our starting XI.
Two footed with great balance, skillful and good pace.

1.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 10:32:53
While I'm hopeful about this lad, it's important to remember over the past two seasons he has only played 59 minutes of senior first team football.

Not even one full game in two years. YouTube makes him look a phenomenon, while there are lots of "experts" online who have written "scouting reports" on the lad and have bigger him up.

He may well make the jump to the EPL and hit the ground running. Or it may take him a season or two to settle and make the step up.

Like with Pellistri and possibly Moises Caicedo if we sign him we will have to give these lads time and space to make the huge jump in the level of the competition, the big differences in culture. Learning the language, adapting to weather, culture, food, make new friends, and settle in.

Having grown up in the south of England I moved to Newcastle at the age of 26, and it took me a couple of months, maybe even six, to settle. If you flew me halfway around the world when I was still a teenager into a completely new culture, with a new language etc it would have taken me significantly longer to adjust, if I would have at all.

These kids will go from very few people watching them play to billions of people worldwide dissecting and over analysing there every move in every performance.

Are they the new Ronaldo? Rooney? Etc.

Let them come, settle in to the club and the country, let them play with lads their own age, maybe make some friends. Then if they are excelling at that level maybe give them 10-15 minutes at the end of a game, maybe a cup appearance. Ease them in slowly.

At least with players like Williams, Greenwood and Garner these lads have lived in Manchester most of if not all of their lives. Even then it's hard enough for them to make that step up.

2.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 10:49:24
Just had a look at a YT highlights reel and. he likes to nutmeg players and . nutmeg players.

3.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 10:51:26
He’s a kid who has played 5 senior games in a completely different league. He is a prospect and putting him anywhere near the starting XI is ridiculous. He will need to time to adjust to the club, the country and everything Manc.

4.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 11:10:28
I saw some extended highlights, he is a live wire and I posted some time ago that he played a European youth game against City and tore them apart. However, the physical aspect may challenge him initially. I suspect they will try to get him used to the physical challenges as with Pellestri but talent will come through.

One thing I noticed was his close control at speed. It will be interesting, they put a lot of money into someone so young.

5.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 11:49:10
Welcome back Danny you rascal.

6.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 13:21:06
Shapps, I received these exciting notes from a source close to a professional scout.
He says Amad was head and shoulders above anyone in the youth teams.

Even if he goes to United's reserves, it would only be a matter of time he breaks through.

That's the reason for my excitement.

7.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 13:53:55
TrueRedDevil, talent is only 50% of what you need to make it as a professional footballer.

In the UK there are some 2500 professional footballers, how many of them are world class?

Every year around 20 kids move out of our academy (either into the first team, move to another side or just get released), how many of them become world class?

I'm not doubting this kids ability, just being cautious as he is only just stepping on to the path, and there is a long way yet for him to go to become a world class player.

Certainly he has the talent to get there, but injury, poor attitude or an inability to turn potential into end product could easily see him fall by the wayside as many others have before him.

By all means be excited, he is an exciting talent after all. But don't expect too much from him until he starts showing what he can do week in week out in the red shirt of Manchester United in the EPL.

8.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 16:36:31
As soon as Ronaldo stepped on that pitch you could see there was something very special indeed. However, he bulked up physically and his mental strength was second to none. That’s what it takes to achieve greatness. There are a lot of things that can derail a player, not least the culture shock, plus a cold wet Manchester night when you are not used to it.

Talent on its own isn’t enough but I look forward to seeing him.

9.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 16:50:05
Spot on Red Man.

10.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 16:50:23
Shappy do you get invited to many parties? Let the man be excited lol.

11.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 18:57:42
lol coalan :)
And yes absolutely agree Shapps and RedMan.

12.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 19:56:56
Caolan, not so many this year for some reason🤔.

I didn't say don't get excited, just don't expect him to waltz into the team in January and make a telling impact.