Amad Diallo’s Stellar Week – ‘One of the Best of My Life’
Even Manchester United’s own social media team nearly gave up on the post-match poll.
On a Premier League match night, the drive for fan engagement is fierce. But sometimes, the answers are obvious.
“Probably an obvious winner, but the poll’s open regardless,” read the post sent out just 10 minutes after the final whistle, following United’s 3-1 win over Southampton.
Everyone in the stadium knew who the match hero was.
When Amad Diallo still had the ball with him in the field, clutching tightly at his hat-trick, the edge of the Old Trafford crowd still shining around him, he seemed to have laid to rest all doubt coming from that point in time. He had turned the average performance into a remarkable victory, after all. He had not only scored the goal to bring the game back to 1-1 in the 82nd minute, but as the cherry on top he finally managed to pull out his hat trick in the extra time.
“In football, you have to believe,” the 22-year-old said, reflecting on both the game and his journey at United.
His story at Old Trafford could have been quite different.
When Erik ten Hag left on October 28, 2024, Diallo’s future was uncertain. Since joining from Atalanta in 2021, he’d started just 12 matches, had loan stints at Rangers and Sunderland, and with his contract nearing its end, it seemed unlikely he’d be part of United’s long-term plans.
But in the weeks since Ten Hag’s departure, everything changed for Diallo.
Since Ruud van Nistelrooy guided him and later Ruben Amorim, he played in all games, scoring in eight of them, including late, dramatic goal shots against City and Liverpool at the last minute. His most recent was 12 minutes, breaking the game for Southampton, a last-minute defeat turning into a sudden victory.
Diallo was beaming when he shared his excitement with TNT after his first senior hat-trick: “This is maybe one of the best weeks of my life.”
And it wasn’t just about the hat-trick. “We believed until the end, and we’re happy to win this game. We drew with Arsenal and Liverpool, so the confidence was there,” Diallo added, referencing United’s strong performances in their recent draws.
But as Amorim pointed out, United couldn’t rely on counter-attacking tactics against a team that had struggled all season, sitting at the bottom of the table. As the match wore on, it looked like it might slip away.
But Diallo’s energy and determination changed everything.
Whether playing as a wing-back or inside forward, he has been a dynamic presence, tirelessly pressing forward and always a threat near goal. It’s no surprise that United have now tied him down to a new five-and-a-half-year contract, running through 2030.
His recent form speaks for itself. Since November, only Mohamed Salah (20) and Alexander Isak (17) have had more Premier League goal involvements than Diallo’s impressive tally of five goals and five assists.
Yet, Amorim remains grounded about Diallo’s rapid rise.
“I didn’t say much to him after the game,” the United boss said. “I’ll tell him tomorrow to rest, eat well, and get ready for Sunday against Brighton.”
“He’s having an excellent season, and I hope he enjoys the moment. But we need to stay focused. This game is now in the past.”
For Diallo, it’s been an unforgettable week. And with his talent, work ethic, and belief, the future looks bright.
This content is designed for a website or email update, with a human touch that highlights both the achievements and the grounded nature of Diallo’s performance, while also recognizing the ongoing journey ahead for him and the team.
