He’s “similar” to Semenyo: Man Utd engage in discussions over “generational” £87m talent
It was hard not to feel encouraged by the bravery and determination displayed by Ruben Amorim’s makeshift Manchester United team on Friday night, as the home side fought hard to secure an essential 1-0 victory against Newcastle United. Wave after wave of Magpies onslaughts were thwarted even with a constant shift in the Red Devils’ defense, with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven earning the man of the match accolade following his impressive performance as the sole consistent figure in that defensive lineup.
The youngster’s job was undoubtedly made more challenging considering the troubles of those playing in front of him, as United’s sequence of attack-minded absences left them with few options for an outlet during that gritty second half. How Amorim’s squad could have benefitted from the pace and strength of someone like Antoine Semenyo to carry them back up the pitch, with the Ghanaian’s electrifying ball-handling speed having been prominently displayed in the 4-4 clash against Bournemouth recently.
Unfortunately, it seems increasingly apparent that the 25-year-old is set to move elsewhere next month, with INEOS and United possibly redirecting their focus towards a fitting alternative instead.
Man Utd engage in discussions over Semenyo alternative
A summer that witnessed both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo being acquired from Premier League competitors might have seen Semenyo join them, albeit with United believed to be deterred by the former Bristol City player’s £70m+ price tag.
As the impending January window approaches, those at Old Trafford seemingly rekindled their interest after rumors suggested that conversations were held last week, with the in-form forward available for a price of £65m due to his forthcoming release clause. Frustratingly for United and other top-tier competitors, it appears that Manchester City will be the ones to ultimately secure his signature, with Semenyo reportedly favoring the Etihad as his choice for 2026, according to David Ornstein.
With that information in mind, Amorim and his team may well be redirecting their attention, as TEAMtalk reports that the club has ‘joined the pursuit’ for RB Leipzig sensation, Yan Diomande. According to the report, United is the last member of the traditional ‘big six’ to have indicated interest in the 19-year-old, with INEOS already having discussions with the teenager’s representatives in the past weeks.
The report does mention that any potential transfer would likely need to occur in the summer, though, with previous speculation indicating he might be available for a fee approximating £87m.
Why Diomande is so “similar” to Semenyo
It became evident again on Friday night that a few key absences can leave United appearing so severely lacking at the forward positions, with the hosts concluding the match with Patrick Dorgu on one wing and Diogo Dalot on the other as their two most advanced wide players.
With neither Amad nor Mbeumo available, and after having allowed stars like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to leave, Amorim seems to be in genuine need of an added spark—something that could invigorate his side in the final third. Semenyo, having already netted nine goals in the Premier League this season, would surely have provided that, even if young Diomande might just be a close alternative, despite the wait until next summer for the Red Devils.
Indeed, according to The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, the two are “physically similar,” with Diomande showcasing “all the same skill and touch” as his senior counterpart. Such likeness is apparent in their recent scoring streaks during the 2025/26 season so far, with the Leipzig prodigy—who is currently participating in AFCON—having bagged six goals in the Bundesliga to date, along with contributing two assists.
In a similar vein, there is a notable two-footed quality present in the £87m talent, as Diomande has struck four of those goals using his right foot and two with his left, according to Sofascore.
The most impressive trait that the Ivorian possesses is his agile dribbling ability, ranking within the top 1% of wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90 minutes, according to FBref, along with placing in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90 minutes.
| Diomande | |
|---|---|
| Stat (per 90) | |
| Non-penalty goals | 0.61 |
| Assists | 0.20 |
| Shot-creating actions | 4.66 |
| Pass completion | 81.3% |
| Progressive passes | 4.05 |
| Progressive carries | 6.28 |
| Successful take-ons | 4.26 |
| Prog passes received | 7.91 |
| Tackles | 1.32 |
| Interceptions | 0.71 |
Stats via FBref
Not only a threat in attack, Diomande also contributes defensively from his wide role, ranking in the top 3% for interceptions and the top 11% for tackles per 90, which isn’t surprising since journalist Bence Bocsak referred to him as a “generational talent.” Comparatively, Semenyo also has his own strengths defensively, ranking in the top 3% for both blocks and aerial duels won per 90 minutes over the past year.
Of course, it is the latter player who is currently in high demand within the Premier League, but if United aims to find a more long-term, high-potential option, then Diomande could indeed be the player they seek.
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Published: 2025-12-27 20:10:00
source: www.footballfancast.com
