Amad wants to stay at Man Utd 'for life'

Image source, Getty Images

  • Author, Simon Stone in Los Angeles
  • Role, Chief football news reporter

Manchester United star Amad Diallo says he wants to stay with the Old Trafford club for the rest of his life.

Amad's current contract expires next summer, although the club do have an option to extend for another year.

There have been suggestions over a new deal but, with the club willing to listen to offers for most of their first-team squad, the 22-year-old's future is not certain and contract talks are not due to take place until the transfer window has closed.

But - if the Ivory Coast international has his way - he knows what he wants to happen.

"Yes, why not?" he replied, when asked if he would like to extend his stay at the club. "I am very happy here and I think everyone is happy with me, because I smile with everyone and bring good energy.

"Why not stay here all my life?"

After successful loan stints at Sunderland and Rangers, Amad was hoping to make a positive impression at United last term - only for a knee injury sustained in pre-season to keep the 拢19m signing from Atalanta sidelined until the end of December.

That was a significant setback and then it took him until his last-gasp extra-time winner in the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool in March to convince manager Erik ten Hag that he was worth a regular place in his squad.

However, overcoming adversity and tricky situations is not unusual for Amad, given he left his native Africa for Italy when he was a child.

"My dream was to play football," he said. "I was born in Africa, but I left when I was young to go to Italy with my mum.

"I grew up there and I'm happy to be here now."