United Show Confidence in Amad Diallo
Manchester United have made their position on Amad Diallo clear ahead of the January transfer window. According to Mail Sport, the Red Devils have turned down a loan bid from Middlesbrough, managed by former United player Michael Carrick, for the 21-year-old winger.
The decision to keep Amad at Old Trafford reflects the club’s confidence in the player, particularly following his impressive displays in training. Now fully fit after a long-term knee injury, the Ivorian is expected to play a more prominent role in the second half of the season. He made his first appearance of the campaign during United’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on December 30, after missing the start of the season due to an injury picked up during pre-season.
Though Amad faces stiff competition for a spot on the right wing—where players like Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Pellistri are also vying for playing time—his chances may increase soon. Pellistri is set to leave the club temporarily, with Mail Sport confirming that Granada has opened talks with United over a loan move for the 22-year-old Uruguayan. Pellistri has reportedly given his approval to the deal, which could clear the way for Amad to feature more regularly in Erik ten Hag’s plans.
Martial’s Ongoing Absence Due To Lack Of Fitness
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial’s struggles with fitness continue, with Mail Sport reporting that the French forward has not trained with the Manchester United first-team for the past month. Martial’s absence from action stretches back to United’s 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth on December 9, after which he was sidelined by a sickness bug.
Initially, many supporters assumed that Martial had suffered yet another injury, given his well-documented history of fitness issues. However, Erik ten Hag remained notably tight-lipped regarding Martial’s condition in press conferences, raising some concerns over the length of his absence.
It has now emerged that while Martial has recovered from his illness, his fitness levels are still not up to the standard required for competitive football. Ten Hag has reportedly instructed the 28-year-old to train separately from the rest of the squad until he can regain the necessary fitness levels for United’s high-intensity sessions.
This continued absence comes at a time when Martial’s future at the club is increasingly uncertain. His contract is set to expire in June, and there are no signs that United intend to activate the one-year extension clause in his deal. As it stands, it appears likely that Martial will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, with the club having no plans to keep him beyond the summer.
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