Man United look to beat Liverpool to signing of highly-rated winger | OneFootball

Man United Step Up Interest in Como’s Assane Diao Amid Premier League Competition

In the cobbled alleyways of Como, beneath the shadow of Alpine peaks, a 19-year-old winger is being quietly courted by two of English football’s most storied institutions. Manchester United and Liverpool, according to Caught Offside, have joined the race for Senegal international Assane Diao — and the battle may be about more than just potential.

United’s scouting department has recently been present at several Serie A fixtures, keeping close tabs on Diao’s performances. Sources say feedback has been “very positive”, and it’s understood that United are considering a formal approach for the summer.

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Contracted long-term but attracting attention

Diao, tied to Como until 2029, isn’t being pushed towards an exit. The club remains calm, with no pressure to sell and no public valuation just yet. But interest from Premier League giants has a gravity of its own. “He has the pace and skill to be a real asset for a top team,” one source said.

Liverpool’s interest remains fluid, hinging on clarity around Mohamed Salah’s future. Should the Egyptian depart, Diao could emerge as a natural fit, albeit in a squad already rich in attacking talent.

United’s project could accelerate a move

Manchester United, by contrast, are in a different phase of development. The need for fresh attacking impetus is immediate. Caught Offside reports Diao “probably wouldn’t find it difficult to get a key role straight away” — an opportunity that could be decisive in his decision-making process.

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The question, of course, is whether Old Trafford is the right environment for raw talent to flourish. As one observer noted: “United have been a graveyard for young players at times. The risk is real.”

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If you’re a Manchester United fan, this report will be met with cautious excitement. Here is a 19-year-old with the raw materials to become something special — lightning pace, close control, and that instinctive directness that makes defenders uncomfortable. Diao has the hallmarks of a future star, and for once, United are in early.

What adds to the intrigue is that he isn’t walking into a settled side. This isn’t a polished front line waiting to click — it’s a system still under construction, and that could work in Diao’s favour. With United short on width and unpredictability, he could find himself fast-tracked into the first team.

Of course, there’s the ever-present caveat — development at United has not always been linear. Talent has been mismanaged. Promises made and broken. But there’s a new vision taking shape at Carrington under Ruben Amorim’s watch, and Diao might be just the kind of high-upside risk worth taking.