Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has compared Manchester United derby hero Amad Diallo to Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs.
Sunday’s clash between the Manchester rivals at the Etihad Stadium has been billed as the ‘Diallo Derby’ after the winger’s match-defining performance.
United’s poor Premier League form under new boss Ruben Amorim looked set to continue as they trailed for almost an hour after Josko Gvardiol put the struggling champions ahead ten minutes before half-time.
Manchester City have endured a remarkably bad run under Pep Guardiola but led 1-0 with five minutes remaining when Diallo changed the game.
He first won a penalty courtesy of a rash tackle from Matheus Nunes, allowing United captain Bruno Fernandes the chance to equalise from the spot.
Fernandes made no mistake and just two minutes later Diallo latched onto a hopeful long ball from Lisandro Martinez which somehow evaded the City defence and rounded Ederson to score a dramatic winner.
The likes of Amorim, Fernandes and Gary Neville were full of praise for Diallo and the 22-year-old has also attracted praise from one of Fergie’s old assistants.
‘Amad Diallo could be a long-term star for Ruben Amorim,’ ex-Manchester United coach Meulensteen told OLBG.
‘I’ve been really impressed with him so far and I’m sure he’s impressed the manager in the wing-back position.
‘He is quick, direct and brave. He can score, create and he can definitely have an impact in the long-term.
‘I can see comparisons to Ryan Giggs in Diallo. The way he picks up the ball and runs with it, I can see it in their balance.
‘He’s also impressed in the way he has adapted to the wing-back role, but we’ll have to see how he gets on in the defensive side against opposition with more attacking prowess.
‘Antony plays in a similar position but I can’t see him doing that job, he wouldn’t have the discipline. Amad on the other hand, he’s taken it in his stride.’
Giggs is one of the greatest players in Manchester United’s history. The Welshman made nearly 1,000 appearances for the Red Devils in over 20 years at the club, lifting 13 Premier League trophies, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues.
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Diallo joined Manchester United from Atalanta in 2021 and impressed towards the end of last season, scoring in the club’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool.
This appears to be a breakout season for the Ivory Coast international but Amorim has issued a word of warning to United fans following his heroics at the Etihad.
‘He can play different positions, he is very humble,’ said Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat last month.
‘We have to be very careful with Amad because sometimes in our club we put young players in a special place. Let’s stay clam with Amad.’
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