Manchester United’s search for a right-winger ended on the deadline day of the last summer transfer window, with the Red Devils securing a move for 18-year-old Amad Diallo Traore from Atalanta B.C.
Although the Red Devils paid an initial transfer fee of £18.7 million to the Italian club, other performance-related bonuses might see the total value of the deal rising to £36.5 million.
It might look like a substantial amount for a teenager with just 6 senior appearances, but if the player does manage to fulfil his potential, one day it might be viewed as a bargain. And to be honest, the initial signs have been very promising and it looks like he has already made quite an impression on his teammates.
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw believes the overall gameplay of Amad is akin to the one of Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez. As reported by Sky Sports, he said:
"“It was interesting because Harry (Maguire) said to me the other day that he reminds him of Mahrez when he was at Leicester.“Really quick, skilful, agility, can turn really quick, got great skills and I would probably agree with Harry, he does remind me of Mahrez.“Even the way Mahrez plays now. I’ve seen sort of the qualities that Amad obviously has and has shown in training.“Mahrez is a wonderful player so hopefully if he’s any good like him it’ll be great for United.”"
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Amad impressed on his Manchester United debut
Having moved to the red side of Manchester in January, Amad has made two appearances for the Manchester United U23s in Premier League 2, garnering three goals and three assists, including a brace against Liverpool.
Amad’s quick adjustment to his new life incited Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to hand the youngster his senior Manchester United debut. And the starlet got the desired call from the manager against Real Sociedad in the first leg of the round of 32 Europa League tie last Thursday.
With only seven minutes left in the game, Solskjaer subbed in Amad. Even though the youngster had very little time left on the clock to showcase his nonchalant footwork, according to WhoScored.com, he managed to complete three dribbles (the most in the second half and the second-most through the entirety of the night).
Born in 2002, Amad is still a bit of an unknown but this seems to be the beginning for the youngster of what looks like a glittering future at the “Theatre of Dreams”.