Amad Diallo gave a brutally honest answer when asked about the futures of his Manchester United teammates Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
Garnacho and Rashford are among the five players Ruben Amorim has exiled from the first-team and told to leave the club.
Fellow forwards Antony and Jadon Sancho and left-back Tyrell Malacia complete the ‘bomb-squad’, though United are struggling to find buyers for them.
That was until Saturday, when it was reported that Barcelona were closing in on a deal to sign Rashford on loan with the option to buy, with the England international desperate to seal the move.
The news broke during United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer – a drab goalless draw with Leeds United in Stockholm – where Amad played the first 45 minutes.
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Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, the Ivory Coast star was asked about Rashford’s impending departure but did not want to be pressed on the matter.
‘The only thing I can say is good luck to him, but I’m more focused on United and my team.’
Amad is especially close to Garnacho, with the duo at one stage tipped to be the future of the Red Devils’ attack, but the latter will almost certainly leave Old Trafford this summer after falling out with Amorim.
There is much interest in the winger from the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham but with no offers as of yet, United may have to further slash his asking price.
Asked about Garnacho’s predicament, Amad showed little interest, saying: ‘I think this is not really my problem. The only thing I’m thinking right now is how we will learn together as a team.’
The 23-year-old was more open about his new teammate Matheus Cunha who impressed on his unofficial debut, a bright spark in an otherwise dreary match.
‘He’s a good player – we need good players in the team and he’ll bring a lot to the team. I hope he can give us some different things.
‘Especially last season, we missed a lot of good players in the final third. He scored a lot of goals last season, so I just wish him all the best.’
United’s pre-season continues State-side as they take on West Ham next Sunday in New Jersey.
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