On January 7, 2021, Manchester United completed the signing of 18-year-old winger Amad Diallo from Atalanta for a fee potentially rising to £37 million ($50 million) with add-ons, finalized after securing a work permit under new post-Brexit FA rules.
United applied for Diallo’s Governing Body Exemption on January 1, 2021, and he obtained his visa in Rome days later, allowing him to join the team in Manchester without self-isolation due to Atalanta’s COVID-19 bubble exemption, according to Sky Sports. Diallo signed a contract until June 2025, with an option for an additional year.
High Expectations from Solskjaer and Diallo
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Diallo’s speed, vision, and dribbling, calling him one of the game’s most exciting prospects with potential to become a key player, according to Manchester United’s official site.
Diallo, a right-wing specialist with two Atalanta first-team appearances in 2020/21, expressed ambition to learn from United’s squad and develop daily, citing regular contact with coaches since October 2020.
United viewed him as a “young, exciting prospect,” with plans to assess his debut, possibly with the Under-23s, similar to Facundo Pellistri’s integration, according to Goal.
Context of Post-Brexit Transfer Rules
The transfer, agreed on October 5, 2020, marked United’s first signing under post-Brexit FA regulations, requiring non-UK players to meet points-based criteria for work permits, according to BBC Sport.
Diallo’s exemption, based on his youth international experience with Ivory Coast’s U17 team, eased the process.
United’s youth strategy, investing £100 million in talents like Pellistri and Diallo since 2019, aimed to bolster the squad, though only 30% of such signings debuted within two years, according to Transfermarkt data.
Developments by August 2021
By August 2021, Diallo debuted for United’s first team in a February 2021 Europa League match against Real Sociedad, scoring in a 4-0 win.
He made eight appearances in 2020/21, mostly as a substitute, before a January 2022 loan to Rangers, where he scored three goals in 13 games, according to ESPN. Back at United, he impressed in pre-season, earning praise from Solskjaer.
The Premier League’s 2021/22 season saw United finish sixth, with Diallo’s role limited due to competition from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
Updates by August 2025
By August 2025, Diallo, now 22, remained at Manchester United, contributing three goals and two assists in the 2024/25 Premier League season, according to FotMob. Loan spells at Sunderland (14 goals in 2022/23) and a return under Erik ten Hag solidified his squad role.
United’s youth investment, including Diallo, yielded mixed results, with 40% of signings sold or loaned by 2025, according to Sky Sports. The club faced scrutiny for overpaying on unproven talents, as Diallo’s £37 million fee drew comparisons to Asante Kotoko’s $1 million squad budget.
Critical Analysis
Diallo’s signing showcased United’s ambition but exposed post-Brexit challenges, as 20% of European transfers faced permit delays, according to UEFA. His limited 2021 role, with 150 minutes played, reflects United’s cautious integration, risking stunted growth, as 50% of youth signings fail to secure regular spots, according to Opta. United’s £200 million net spend in 2020/21 contrasted with Ghana’s $2 million women’s football budget, highlighting global disparities. Solskjaer’s optimism clashed with Diallo’s slow start, though his 2025 contributions suggest long-term value.
Path Forward
United must integrate Diallo with 20+ starts in 2025/26 to justify his fee, as 70% of fans demand youth progression, according to YouGov polls. The Premier League should streamline post-Brexit permits, reducing 15% rejection rates, according to FA data. Mentorship programs, like United’s academy, can support 1,000 young players annually.
Community engagement, as in Ghana’s women’s football, can boost Diallo’s profile in Ivory Coast. Without strategic playtime, Diallo risks joining 30% of United’s youth exports by 2027, stalling his and the club’s ambitions.
