Amad Diallo.

When will Diallo play and in which position?

Friday 08 January 2021 13:57

The questions on most Manchester United fans' lips are when can we expect to see Amad Diallo in action for the first time and which is his best position.

The best man to answer on these topics is, of course, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and MUTV's Stewart Gardner caught up with the boss ahead of Saturday night's Emirates FA Cup third-round encounter with Watford at Old Trafford.

It had been wondered if the signing from Atalanta could even make his debut this weekend, against the Hornets, but that will definitely not be the case.

FA Cup: Team news for Watford

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Ole confirms one player that will be involved and another who is definitely out, due to a positive COVID-19 test.

"We’ll do the same as we did with Facundo [Pellistri]," explained Ole in our exclusive interview. "He joins in the training with the first team and gets settled in. Then we need to give him match-time. First team or Under-23s, we’re not going to be able to say now. Let’s see how he takes to it. You’ve got kids who just come in and tell us, as staff, that they’re ready for the difficult games.

“He’s a young boy who we’ve watched for a few years. We’ve seen him here [in England] play in the UEFA Youth League for the kids.

“He’s got special abilities, of course. Very good balance, reads the game really well and, for a young boy, he seems very mature in his decision-making. [He's] a boy that we’re excited to develop further. Of course, we know he’s a young boy who’s going to learn his trade and come into a new country and new style of football, so we’ve got to be patient with him."

It will be interesting to see where Diallo plays as he primarily operated on the right wing for Atalanta but performed as a substitute in the Champions League win over Midtjylland on the opposite flank, when he caught the eye with his movement and positive outlook.

Pellistri arrived from Penarol in Uruguay with many describing him as a winger but he has also looked adept when operating centrally in the Under-23s.

"I think he [Amad] is comfortable in many positions," explained Solskjaer. "Right-wing is probably the position he’s played the most, with his left foot coming inside. Then again, in the Champions League for Atalanta, he played on the left – he cut inside and he went outside, so he can play different positions for us.

“Let’s give him time to find his feet here in England and we’ll hopefully see him soon."

In a separate discussion during his press conference to preview the cup clash with the Hornets, Ole suggested the teenager will link up for training with his new colleagues soon.

"He’s still not been in the training group with us," said the boss. "I’m excited by all new players coming in and we’ll give him time. I’ve seen there is lots of expectation on him and I’m looking forward to giving him a chance to succeed here at United.

“It’s important we give him time to settle in. Whether that’s with the Under-23s or if he’s ready to go straight into the first team, I’m not sure."

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