Amad Diallo scored his first goal for Manchester United in their 1-1 draw with AC Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 fixture – and there could hardly be a better way to open one’s account playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Manchester United agreed personal terms regarding the signing of the former Atalanta man last summer, but the new Brexit regulations regarding getting a work permit ensured that the Ivorian did not play for the club until the January transfer window began.
Diallo made his first-team debut for Manchester United in their 4-0 first-leg win over Real Sociedad in the Round of 32 of the Europa League.
About three weeks later, the 18-year-old has now scored his first goal for his new club against a club with immense European heritage in AC Milan. Diallo sent Manchester United ahead in the 50th minute of tonight’s first leg at Old Trafford, when he got on the end of an inch-perfect long pass by Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder’s perfect pass into space beat the whole of the Milan outfit’s backline and fell on Diallo’s head, who finished with clinical expertise – looping the ball into the back of the net over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Fans on Twitter were left stunned by the kind of deadly ability that Diallo scored in front of goal, converting with calmness and precision well beyond his tender years.
United could not hold on to their lead until full time as Simon Kjaer equalized for Milan in second-half stoppage time, but the young Ivorian will have a lot of positives to take from his performance – capped off by an incredible finish with his head that any striker will be very proud of – even more so if it is one’s first goal for a club.
