Manchester United fans have reason to cheer as the club shared encouraging updates on the recovery of two of their brightest young talents, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo, ahead of the season’s climax. With a demanding schedule still to come, including a Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon and a Manchester derby against City, the potential return of these key players could prove pivotal for manager Rúben Amorim’s squad.
Amad Diallo, the 21-year-old Ivorian winger, suffered a significant setback earlier this year when he damaged ankle ligaments during a training session in February. Initially feared to be season-ending, the injury cast a shadow over what had been a breakout campaign for the former Atalanta star under Amorim’s stewardship. However, recent developments have defied those early prognoses. Speaking ahead of United’s upcoming fixtures, Amorim expressed cautious optimism, stating, “He’s doing quite well. We hope to have him before the season is finished. He’s anxious to play, so we are waiting for him.” Diallo himself has fueled speculation of an early return, posting cryptic hints on social media, including a Snapchat story featuring an hourglass emoji alongside a picture of him in action for United.
The winger’s recovery has been described as ahead of schedule, with sources close to the club indicating that he could feature as early as May. Diallo’s creativity and dynamism on the wing have been sorely missed, and his return could provide a timely boost as United chase European success and a strong finish in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also nearing a comeback after being sidelined since early February with a muscle injury sustained during United’s FA Cup victory over Leicester. Initially ruled out for six weeks, the England international has made steady progress and returned to full training at Carrington. Amorim confirmed the positive development, noting, “Kobbie Mainoo is training with us. We want to be careful with our players, but maybe he’s going to be in our squad soon.” The manager’s comments suggest Mainoo could be in contention as early as the Europa League tie against Lyon on April 10, though the club remains cautious to avoid rushing his recovery.
Mainoo’s absence has been felt in midfield, where his composure, intelligence, and ability to dictate play have made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of Amorim’s plans. His potential return this month could bolster United’s engine room at a critical juncture, with a packed April schedule testing the squad’s depth.
The updates come as Manchester United emerge from an injury crisis that has plagued much of their season. Alongside Diallo and Mainoo, other players such as Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Altay Bayindir have recently returned to training, offering Amorim a welcome selection headache. However, challenges remain, with key defenders Lisandro Martínez (out until summer 2025) and Jonny Evans (return date unknown) still sidelined, and Matthijs de Ligt listed as a doubt for upcoming matches after picking up a knock.