Manchester United's Amad Diallo to miss start of season with knee injury

Manchester United have revealed that Amad Diallo will miss the start of the 2023-24 campaign due to the knee injury that he picked up during the recent pre-season friendly with Arsenal.

The Ivory Coast international is back at Old Trafford this summer following a successful loan spell at Sunderland, where he scored 14 goals and registered four assists in 42 appearances last term.

Amad started Man United's opening two friendlies of the summer against Leeds United and Lyon before appearing off the bench in the clash with Arsenal on July 21.

However, the forward only lasted 13 minutes of the contest with the Gunners, having picked up a knee issue.

The 21-year-old subsequently missed the team's next three pre-season matches on their tour of the United States against Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

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There had initially been uncertainty surrounding the seriousness of the damage, but Man United have now revealed that he will be absent for the early stages of the new season.

"Manchester United winger Amad will miss the first part of the Premier League season," read a statement on the club's official website.

"It is a blow to the youngster's hopes of making his mark, after being involved in the earlier stages of our pre-season campaign."

Man United will take on Lens and Athletic Bilbao in friendlies this weekend before beginning their 2023-24 Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14.

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Fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo has also been ruled out of the start to the season due to an ankle injury that he picked up during the recent pre-season clash with Real Madrid.

The 18-year-old has been tipped to fully make the breakthrough into the first team during the upcoming season, but it is unclear how much football he will miss as a result of the issue.

A final decision on Amad's involvement for the coming season has allegedly not yet been made, with Ten Hag wanting to have a look at the Ivorian during the tour of the United States.

The youngster has only featured on nine occasions for Man United since his arrival from Atalanta BC in January 2021, scoring once and providing one assist in the process.