Leicester City are preparing for a showdown with Manchester United for the fourth time this season.
Sadly, the previous three fixtures against United have ended in despair. Leicester were beaten in the league, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup by the Red Devils.
Leicester now host Man United in the Premier League on Sunday on the back of 12 defeats in 13 league games, which has seen them plummeted into the relegation zone.
It would require a miracle for Ruud van Nistelrooy to pull his side out of the mud as City are six points from safety with just 10 matches left.
But it’s at times like these when the Premier League strugglers are reminded of their transfer failures, as Leicester tried to sign one Man United superstar last season.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca tried to sign Amad Diallo from Man United
In January 2024, Enzo Maresca was in the market for some added firepower to ensure they cantered towards the finish line.
Several names were linked but it was Leicester’s interest in Amad Diallo that caught the most eyes, with a loan move for the 22-year-old looking plausible.
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Diallo spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Championship side Sunderland and became a revelation at the Stadium of Light with 13 goals and three assists in 37 second-tier appearances.
So, with the exciting winger not in Erik ten Hag’s plans at that point, a loan seemed like the best option for both parties but it unfortunately didn’t happen.
Diallo never intended to leave Old Trafford in January 2024 and wanted to fight for his place in the team, something he achieved after Leicester’s initial interest.
Diallo will miss Leicester City vs Man United
This season, the 22-year-old finally demonstrated why Man United paid £37 million for him as a teenager in 2021.
Diallo has netted six goals and provided six assists in the Premier League, including the winner against Manchester City and a hat-trick at home to Southampton.
Unfortunately, the Ivory Coast international suffered an ankle ligament injury in February, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
It means the Foxes won’t come up against their former target on Sunday, with Diallo assisting in the reverse league fixture.