Manchester United starlet Amad handed first Ivory Coast call up

The 18-year-old has caught the eye with his performances in the Europa League this season

Diallo scored his first Manchester United goal against AC Milan on 11 March (Getty)

Manchester United forward Amad has been called up to the senior Ivory Coast squad for the first time.

The 18-year-old, who has impressed since joining the club from Atalanta in January, has been named in a 30-man squad for the country’s final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month.

The winger has been included alongside United teammate Eric Bailly, as well as Premier League stars Wilfred Zaha and Nicolas Pepe.

Amad has been gradually introduced to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first team since his arrival at Old Trafford at the start of the year. Although he is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club, the teenager lit up the first leg of United’s first leg draw with AC Milan in the Europa League last month.

A deal for Amad was initially agreed in October last year before the winger joined from the Italian side in January for an initial fee of £18m.

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Ivory Coast play Niger on Friday before taking on Ethiopia on March 30, with a place at the Africa Cup of Nations on the line for Patrice Beaumelle’s side.

The Elephants lead Group K with seven points, but are only ahead of Madagascar on goal difference, while Ethiopia are just a point behind with two qualifiers remaining.