Amad Diallo says he is looking forward to a long career at Manchester United after signing a new long-term contract.
The Ivorian has been the feel-good story of what has been a difficult season for United so far. The Red Devils are in the bottom half of the Premier League table, have won just six of the 20 games played and were forced to do without the services of coach Erik ten Hag in October, appointing Ruben Amorim instead.
The Portuguese coach, who had ensured a perfect start to the season with his former employers Sporting CP, found the game at Old Trafford difficult – a complete overhaul of the team’s playing style was one of many factors in United’s problems – but there was a silver lining was the glowing form of Amad.
A winning goal at Manchester City was recently followed by an equalizer at United’s arch-rivals Liverpool, which he scored just days before signing his new five-and-a-half-year contract.
Amad showed how happy he was about extending his stay United’s club channels: “It means a lot to me because I love this club. Every time I put the jersey on I feel so proud.”
“Every time I’m on the pitch I want to fight for this club and I’m so happy to be here for a long time.”
Speaking about his and United’s progress under Amorim, Amad continued: “Yes, we are learning every day. We’re learning, you know, it’s a new system for everyone. It wasn’t easy at the beginning, but I think now the team is starting to understand the system a little better.
“The manager and staff are at the training ground every day to help us understand the system better. We are very lucky to have them and want to follow them for the system because in the end we know that we can succeed.”
Amad’s next chance to shine could be a thrilling game at Premier League rivals Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup. United are the defending champions of the competition, having beaten City in last season’s final at Wembley but losing 2-0 to the Gunners in this very game less than a month ago.