Amad Diallo has broken his silence after it was revealed he had suffered a training injury that could end his season.
As Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Saturday, Diallo was hurt in training this week and is still being assessed, but he is expected to be out for at least two months and may not play again this campaign.
The news is another bitter blow to head coach Ruben Amorim who has also lost Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after all three midfielders were injured in training this week.
Diallo’s injury is particular galling for the player and Amorim after he went from a bit-part role under Erik ten Hag to a key figure in the new coach’s system, earning a new five-and-a-half-year contract worth around £100,000-a-week.
After excelling in an attacking role, though, the forward is now set for a lengthy lay-off with United needing to look for a replacement for a player who has become one of their star men.
And the player himself has now spoken on the issue, taking to social media to post a message to fans.
Amad Diallo has broken his silence after suffering an injury that could end his season
The forward took to social media to confirm the injury and promised to come back stronger
He has emerged as one of United’s key players this season, flourishing under Ruben Amorim
‘Extremely disappointed to be writing this message in such a crucial time of the season,’ he began. ‘Unfortunately, I will be out for some time with an injury.
‘I will come back stronger than ever!! Time to support the boys from the outside. Still loads to play for.’
The Ivory Coast international has scored six times in the last 14 games, including crucial late goals at Manchester City and Liverpool, and a hat-trick in the comeback win over Southampton.
His absence leaves United short of No 10 options after Marcus Rashford and Antony were allowed to go out on loan in the January transfer window.
Their problems have gone from bad to worse after Mainoo was ruled out for a number of weeks with a worrying injury, and Ugarte and Collyer were also sidelined.
Amorim has Christian Eriksen and Casemiro as options to play in midfield at Spurs, and teenager Jack Moorhouse is among a number of academy players who have travelled to London along with Chido Obi-Martin, Sekou Kone, Harry Amass and Elyh Harrison.
United usually make the journey by rail, but had to take the team bus due to train cancellations as their preparations for the game were further disrupted.
Amorim is already without longer-term casualties Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans, and issued a worrying update when asked about the state of his squad on Friday.
Amorim must now think of a way to replace the impact Diallo has had on his side recently
The likes of Kobbie Mainoo are also injured, leaving United with somewhat of an injury crisis
‘It was a good week until two days ago, we had some problems,’ he said. ‘We don’t have players back, we have one or two issues but we are waiting.
‘We have one player who is sick so we will see the team at weekend.’
Martinez will be out for the rest of the season after he underwent successful surgery on Wednesday to repair the damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Martinez spent the night in hospital in London and travelled back to Manchester on Thursday as he faces a recovery period of around six months.
