AMAD DIALLO could make his Manchester United debut in the Europa League clash against Real Sociedad on Thursday.
The Ivorian winger, 18, arrived at Old Trafford from Atalanta for £37million in January in a deal that was initially agreed last summer.
And after stunning onlookers with his performances for the Under-23s, Diallo has been named in the squad that will travel to Turin – where the last 32 first leg is being held amid coronavirus restrictions.
Diallo has bagged three goals and as many assists in just two games for Neil Wood’s youth side and could make his first-team bow in Europe.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is experiencing something of a forward crisis with Edinson Cavani ruled out and Anthony Martial struggling.
Uruguayan striker Cavani and Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek both have muscle injuries so will remain at Carrington.
And the Norwegian boss is also sweating on the fitness of Martial and midfielder Scott McTominay.
Paul Pogba is still sidelined and will not return to competitive action until next month.
Solskjaer said: “Paul is recovering well. He’s starting the treatment but it will still be a few weeks.
“He won’t be playing in February, that’s for sure, it’s still a few weeks before we see Paul definitely.
“Apart from that, we have a couple of doubtful ones, if they’ll be fit enough – Anthony and Scott.
“Donny and Edinson are injured unfortunately, muscle injuries, so they won’t travel.”
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Diallo is most likely to start on the bench alongside 17-year-old wonderkid Shola Shoretire who could also be handed a senior debut after being included in the 22-man travelling party.
But with Cavani, Pogba, Van de Beek and Martial all potentially out he could land a starting spot.
Mason Greenwood is set to start fresh from signing a bumper new four-year deal at the club.
With McTominay in a race to be fit, experienced Serb Nemanja Matic is likely to deputise alongside Fred in the heart of midfield.
United go into the tie aiming to finally snare some silverware after falling at the semi-final stage last season and dropping down from the Champions League after finishing third in their group.
And the Red Devils can be confident of success after a supercomputer predicted they will lift the Europa League trophy this season.
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Man Utd new boy Amad Diallo tipped to become ‘world beater’ as Rio Ferdinand compares £37m signing to Cristiano Ronaldo
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
