Manchester United hopeful of work permit breakthrough in Amad Diallo transfer

Solskjaer says fellow young winger Pellistri is settling in well

Atalanta winger Amad Diallo is set to join Manchester United (AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United remain hopeful of obtaining a work permit for Amad Diallo in time for him to join during the January transfer window, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United announced a structured deal rising to €41m for the teenage Atalanta winger on the final day of the summer's extended window in October, before the final paperwork was complete.

The 18-year-old was born in the Ivory Coast and moved to Italy as a child and requires a work permit in order to register as a United player, with the application process currently ongoing.

Diallo made his first appearances of the season for Atalanta as a substitute in their recent Serie A defeat to Verona and Champions League draw with Midtjylland.

Solskjaer is excited to see the teenager join up with his squad at United's Carrington training base and talked up the young prospect after his recent displays in Italy.

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"Amad has come on a few times for Atalanta lately," the United manager said. "He is a very exciting young boy and talent and hopefully we'll get the work permit and he'll be with us in January. A very, very exciting boy as well."

United also signed Facundo Pellistri, another young right winger, from Uruguayan club Penarol on the final day of the summer window.

The 18-year-old has made four appearances for United's Under-23s since his arrival and Solskjaer feels that Pellistri is adapting well to his new surroundings in Manchester.

"Facundo has come in, trained with the first-team, done well," he said.  

"We felt now is time for him to get game time, and he's played a couple of games in the reserves and is gradually settled in nicely and getting more used to us."