Manchester United has officially announced that 22-year-old Ivorian winger Amad Diallo has successfully completed a contract extension, which will last for 5 years and 6 months, extending until June 2030. Notably, this new contract does not include the common one-year priority renewal clause typically seen in contracts for Red Devils players. "I have had some amazing moments at the club, but I believe there is much more to come, and I am very ambitious about the game," said Diallo after signing the contract alongside Technical Director Jason Wilcox.
Prior to the contract extension, Diallo was operating under the terms of his original contract signed when he moved from Atalanta to Manchester United in 2020, with a weekly salary of less than £30,000. Reports suggest that his new contract has increased his weekly salary to between £90,000 and £120,000, which is not excessive considering he will be at the prime of his career at 28 when the contract ends. If he performs exceptionally well during this period, Manchester United could consider raising his weekly salary to between £150,000 and £180,000, leaving room for future salary adjustments.
After loan spells at Glasgow Rangers and Sunderland, Diallo returned to the Manchester United first team last season and demonstrated his potential. He scored crucial goals against strong teams like Manchester City and Liverpool. This season, Diallo has made 27 appearances across all competitions, contributing 6 goals and 7 assists. However, he was surprisingly benched by Ten Hag. Fortunately, interim manager Van Nistelrooy reactivated him, allowing Diallo to shine under new coach Amorim. Despite Manchester United's overall mediocre performance, Diallo's outstanding individual play has won over many fans, earning him the team's best player awards for August and December.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that before renewing with Manchester United, Diallo rejected offers from two top clubs, choosing to remain loyal to the Red Devils. Although these interested clubs were not superpowers like "Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich," Diallo's decision to stay is commendable.
During matches, despite his small stature, Diallo is very proactive on the field. Many of his goals and assists come from his initiative in high-pressure tactics. Wes Brown of Manchester United commented, "Diallo stands out with his exceptional performance. He excels defensively and offensively, putting immense pressure on opponents. He is a sincere player who works hard and has the ability to become a real threat. His direct style and incredible speed allow him to contribute even in tough positions."
Diallo's journey may relate to this. In 2020, he joined Manchester United for €20 million from Atalanta, beginning a tumultuous journey. He faced various challenges, including ups and downs and serious injuries. However, his fortunes changed when he was loaned to Sunderland in the Championship. There, he found his rhythm and fully recovered his form, scoring 14 goals in 42 games in the 2022/23 season. These achievements earned him Sunderland's Young Player of the Year award and the PFA Championship Player of the Year award voted by fans.
Some fans suggest that if Rashford leaves Manchester United, Diallo should wear the No. 10 jersey. Known as "Atalanta Messi," Diallo wore the No. 10 for the Ivory Coast national team. During his time at Manchester United, he has worn the numbers 19 and 16. Initially wearing No. 79 at Atalanta, he took over Rashford's No. 19 upon joining Manchester United. However, he graciously gave up the No. 19 when Varane joined, switching to the No. 16 previously worn by Carrick and Roy Keane.
Diallo said, "When I learned I would get the No. 16 jersey at Manchester United, I was thrilled. Carrick wore it for a long time, making it a legendary number. I must perform to match its significance, showing respect for those who wore it before me."
However, it is recommended that Diallo not change his number. Learn from Roy Keen, who once wore No. 16; Ferguson wanted to give him the No. 7, but Keen refused. Players earn the special meaning of a jersey number through their performance, not the other way around. Fans eagerly anticipate Diallo's continued efforts after his contract extension, hoping he doesn't lose motivation like some teammates, such as Rashford, who became complacent after securing a high salary.
Statistics show that Diallo has the most successful ball recoveries in the attacking third this season, with a total of 23 times, averaging 1.68 per game, topping the list among Premier League players with over 500 minutes played. Discussing his performance under Amorim's tactics, Diallo said, "We all know the new coach has high pressing requirements, which is a new tactical system for everyone. Since we are part of this team, we must follow the coach's instructions and give our all on the field."
Diallo mentioned that during his meeting with Amorim, the coach provided suggestions to help him improve. "We had a meeting where he told me he would do everything possible to assist me in making improvements." He also added, "Amorim is helping everyone in the team, but he came with a desire to win, which we all understand. We also want to win, so we must follow his guidance to see what results we can achieve."