Rewind to three years ago and Amad Diallo rocked up at Rangers from Manchester United with huge expectations on his shoulders.
His monster fee arrival at Old Trafford had Light Blues fans purring at the prospect of what they might see for the next six months as Giovanni van Bronckhorst pulled off a huge double loan swoop with Aaron Ramsey arriving from Juventus in the same window. Things could not have started better for the Ivorian with a debut strike within minutes against Ross County. But in the end he struggled for consistent minutes and starts with the loan move turning out unsuccessful and fans labelling him a bit of a flop capture.
Fast forward to a stunning season at Sunderland and now a mainstay in the United team and the Diallo we see today is effectively night and day from the young attacker who arrived at Ibrox back in January 2022. It’s not the first time Amad will face Rangers when his former club make the short trip south to Old Trafford for a blockbuster Battle of Britain Europa League showdown having netted against them in a Murrayfield pre-season game earlier this year.
A recent hat-trick against Southampton and the reward of a long-term new deal, things couldn’t be any better for the youngster and Manchester United legend Wes Brown reckons his mentality must be through the roof after the spells at Ibrox and the Stadium of Light as he revealed why the attacker has earned his respect.
Speaking exclusively to Record Sport, he explained: “He didn’t play that well at Rangers and at Sunderland he did. I always think as a young kid that I was a little bit different. I got a few changes when I was young and did well. But you can see with some players that they need to go out on loan. They are probably not quite the level they need to be at their club and for Amad, his mentality must be really strong.
“I am telling you now, to go to Rangers and Sunderland, believe me when I say this, at some point you are going to have to perform as they are two tough clubs to go to. And at Rangers he didn’t do too well and he would have felt the pressure but somewhere along the line he’s realised he can handle it and go and enjoy it and play. He managed to do that at Sunderland.
“From our fans there has been some pressure to see if he is good enough, and he has performed in every single game. He is the sort of bright light that has come out of this season so far along with a couple more. He’s handled everything and as an ex-player, you don’t want all that pressure on a young player. But mentally he’s been able to sustain it and perform. He is definitely one that has worked hard this season.”
Brown has played alongside some of the best players to grace the beautiful game. And while Amad may not be like any of his former colleagues, he does come close to one superstar name for the Old Trafford legend in the shape of Nani. But he joked that the current attacker is much better on the defensive side of his game.
Speaking in association with NewBettingOffers.co.uk, Brown said: “It is very difficult but I tell you who is close, Nani. But I reckon Amad is a bit better at defending. But maybe Nani, a little bit just in the way he runs and plays. As soon as he gets the ball, he gets at his opponent and makes something happen. I really respect that.
“When you have a player like that in your team it takes some pressure off you and you look up to him a little bit. He’s got to the stage now that when he turns and is running, defenders give him respect and you can only earn that.
“I think he’s earned a little bit of respect now and the opposition are getting two or three over to him and holding him up a little bit. He’s earned that himself this season and is a breathe of fresh air for us when he does get on the ball.”