Manchester United winger Amad Diallo took to social media to respond to rumors about his call-up as a reserve with the Ivory Coast Elephants for CAN 2023.
Jean-Louis Gasset revealed last week his final list of players summoned for the final phases of CAN 2023 that Côte d’Ivoire is organizing from January 13 to February 11, 2024. We found several regulars there, unsurprisingly, like Sébastien Haller, Ibrahim Sangaré and Serge Aurier. The biggest absence was that of Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace striker having been sidelined due to a disagreement with the French manager.
As the Ivory Coast Elephants prepare to gather to prepare for the tournament, reports are circulating that Diallo is one of the reserve players in the Ivorian selection for CAN 2023. Ivory Coast has him selected in his provisional squad of 53 players , but the coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, did not include him in the final list .
Diallo responds to rumors and reveals the truth
However, Sky Sports wrongly claimed that Diallo will join Ivory Coast for the tournament before deleting the post. Contrary to what the European media alleges, the player himself took the trouble to enlighten public opinion on the truth. Diallo took to social media to assure that this information was “false”.
The 21-year-old is not in enviable form at Manchester United. He made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. He was selected by Erik ten Hag after recovering from a knee injury suffered during the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the United States.
It was his only match played so far, having come on as a substitute for Antony in the second half of the 2-1 defeat in last week’s away game.
Diallo, a very unenviable season due to injury
Diallo was first capped by his country in 2021. Since then, he has made just four appearances for the Ivory Coast Elephants. No wonder the former Atalanta starlet was not selected in the final squad for CAN 2023 in his country.
Last season, Diallo had a remarkable campaign while on loan at Sunderland. He made 37 league appearances last season, scoring 13 goals and making three assists, and was expected to challenge for a place in Man United’s starting XI before suffering a knee injury in the summer.
Diallo, compete with Anthony or go on loan
Back at Old Trafford, he will now try to find a place in the squad managed by Ten Hag. To do this, he will have to do better than Anthony, this weekend’s meeting against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup will tell more. This seems very difficult at first glance for the young Ivorian.
During his first match of the season, Ten Hag spoke well of the Ivorian. “In the second half, they [the attackers] were in the match. I think Amad Diallo came on really well, Alejandro Garnacho played a very good match, I think ,” said the Dutch coach of the Red Devils about his young player.
Diallo is cited in rumors of transfers to Sunderland, Everton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, all of whom are reportedly keen to sign him for the second half of the current campaign. Leaving the Old Trafford club on loan again could benefit him more too.
