For the first time in a long time, Manchester United appear to have made a shrewd move in the transfer market, signing proven Premier League talents such as Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in particular.
The £130m-plus pair, who scored 35 league goals for Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively last season, have now scored six goals in all competitions in their new surroundings, including three at Old Trafford last weekend.
It’s a joy to see an off-the-shelf signing take off, but so is it when United unearth some hidden gem.
A player who arrived as a relative unknown before establishing himself as a cult hero.
Think of players like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who were scouted from obscurity in Norway and Mexico respectively. Alternatively, current national team players like Senne Lamence and Amad could fall into that category.
In the case of the latter, the Ivorian has endured a long road to reach the top at Old Trafford and is now truly blossoming.
Amad’s long road to becoming a Manchester United star
Remarkably, it was just over five years ago that news broke that United had signed Amad, a teenage Atalanta star, for £19 million, with the then 18-year-old ultimately set to leave in January 2021.
At the time of his announcement on deadline day in October, the youngster had played just three games in Serie A, totaling just 30 minutes, and the Red Devils were betting big on a young and inexperienced signing.
Despite ultimately breaking out on his own with a seminal goal against AC Milan, the diminutive forward was forced to bide his time under Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick, and after a short spell at Rangers, he made his breakthrough during an impressive loan spell at Sunderland in 2022/23.
Amado, who achieved hero status with 14 goals at the Stadium of Light, joined Erik ten Hag’s ranks in the summer of 2023, although injury limited him to the first half of next season.
In addition to that The player won the FA Cup against Liverpool and scored his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United, but his 2023/24 season was something of a blip on an individual level, and his strong start to 2024/25 quickly came to a halt as he slipped back down the pecking order of Ten Hag’s attack.
But since the Dutchman’s departure, the 23-year-old has reached another level under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and now Ruben Amorim, producing a series of defining moments, including a late treble at home to Southampton, as well as goals away at Anfield and the Etihad last season.
Returning to right wing-back this season, the £120,000-a-week wizard is starting to find his groove in Mbeumo’s presence, as evidenced by his early assist on Merseyside.
Manchester United records under Amad’s management | |||
|---|---|---|---|
manager | game | the goal | assist |
Ruben Amorim | 36 | 8 | 10 |
eric ten hag | twenty four | 3 | 3 |
ole gunnar solskjaer | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Ruud van Nistelrooy | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Ralph Rangnick | 1 | 0 | 0 |
michael carrick | 0 | 0 | 0 |
total | 73 | 14 | 14 |
Statistics via Transfermarkt | |||
It’s been around five years in the making, but Amad, who is due to head to AFCON later this year, is suitably fulfilling his potential in a United shirt.
Perhaps similar success stories are possible?
Manchester United’s next Amad on the way
Five years ago, the focus was on the £40m signing of Donny van de Beek and the free transfer of Edinson Cavani, and Amad’s announcement was something of an afterthought (especially since he didn’t actually make the decision to move until months later).
Such a scenario looks set to repeat itself in 2025, with United quietly confirming a £6m deal for fellow teenager Diego Leon in January, with the Paraguayan arriving late this summer when he turned 18.
Like the young Amad, the rambunctious full-back was signed as something of a project player, with more expectations for his future than an immediate impact at Premier League level.
But like Amad, the teenager, who was even described by Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez as looking like Messi in training, has already scored four goals in 33 games for former club Cerro Porteno and his reputation has soared.
The rising star, who is comfortable playing at left-back or left wing-back, has been praised for his physical attributes by the likes of analyst Ben Mattinson, who noted that he “runs like a steam locomotive” down the flank.
That quality was on display last week when United’s Under-21s played against Tottenham Hotspur. Leon darted forward from his position on the left and ran almost the entire length of the pitch before converting to score his first goal for the Red Devils.
Understandably, there are still some raw edges to his game – it’s worth noting that he gave up the ball nine times in the recent EFL Trophy win against Barnsley, according to Sofascore – but with just 31 touches, United’s No. 35, with his incredible speed and power, may not be far away from flourishing at first-team level.
In fact, he has been a regular in Amorim’s matchday squad despite not having played an actual game this season, and has also received his first international call-up from Paraguay.
Koby Mainu talks about Leon: “I like Diego. Diego is also a top player, really powerful, really strong. He doesn’t speak much English, but he’s also a funny guy, so he’s definitely a good addition to the team.”
The left-footer, who was paraded on the pitch ahead of the pre-season game against Fiorentina, was undoubtedly overshadowed by the signings of big players such as Cunha, Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesco, but his time will soon come.
With Patrick Dorg still yet to secure his spot at left wing-back and fellow teenager Harry Amass on loan, there is a clear path to action in the coming weeks and months, starting with Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Like Amad, he may have to wait, but United could reap the benefits of investing in such an exciting teenage talent later on.