Manchester United have confirmed that attacker Amad Diallo has returned to full training following a serious knee injury sustained in July.
The 21-year-old was set to form part of Erik ten Hag's plans for the opening months of the 2023-24 season, with the Dutch head coach playing the winger in pre-season contests against Leeds United and Lyon.
However, Diallo suffered a nasty knee injury just 13 minutes into his third match of the summer as the Red Devils faced Premier League rivals Arsenal in North America on July 22.
The Ivory Coast international has since played no part for Ten Hag's side in the beginning of the current season, leaving the 53-year-old light on options on the flanks, especially considering Jadon Sancho's exclusion from first-team activities.
Ahead of Man United's home clash with an in-form Bournemouth side on Saturday afternoon, the 20-time English champions have announced some positive news surrounding Diallo's fitness via their social media channels.
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"Amad (Diallo) has returned to full training with the first-team squad, as he gets back to fitness after a knee injury," read part of United's early team news on their official website before this weekend's clash with the Cherries.
Following a frustrating loan spell at Scottish giants Rangers during the second part of the 2021-22 term, Diallo was sent out to Championship club Sunderland last season with a view of the youngster gaining plenty of first-team experience.
Tony Mowbray's ability to nurture emerging talent helped the United loanee settle in quickly at the Stadium of Light, and the attacker featured in 39 second-tier matches, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists.
After such a productive campaign for the Black Cats, there was reportedly interest from top-flight clubs West Ham United, Everton and newly-promoted Burnley in the summer, however the winger's knee injury halted any advances from potential suitors.
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It was claimed last month that Wolverhampton Wanderers were keen on bringing Diallo to Molineux during the January transfer window, with the West Midlands outfit eyeing up possible Pedro Neto replacements as the Portuguese forward continues to be monitored by Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
The Ivorian's current deal at Old Trafford expires at the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign, and any move away from Man United in the New Year would reportedly be temporary.
Despite the absence of Diallo in the opening stages of the term, the Red Devils have witnessed an academy graduate enter Ten Hag's first-team thinking, with 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo starting United's 3-0 win at Everton on November 26.
With Diallo only just returning to full training, United are yet to place a specific timeline on the attacker's return to competitive action, however it is extremely unlikely that he features on the weekend against Bournemouth.
Carter White
