Manchester United star holds astonishing World Cup statistic despite only playing 34 minutes

Amad Diallo has shown there’s no time like the present at this summer’s World Cup.

The Manchester United star slotted home a dramatic late winner as the Ivory Coast edged to a 1-0 triumph over group rivals Ecuador on Sunday night.

Getty

But it’s his silky skills prior to the decisive goal which have arguably been more impressive.

Diallo tops the charts for most successful take-ons in the World Cup so far, the 23-year-old managing six against Ecuador.

Just behind him are Mexico forward Julian Quinones, Curacao’s Tahith Chong and South Korea star Kang-in Lee, who all completed five dribbles in their opening matches at the tournament.

Jamal Musiala, former Premier League winger Christian Pulisic and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush also make up the top ten dribble kings.

What makes the feat more impressive is the fact that Diallo was only on the pitch for 34 minutes in Philadelphia.

In contrast, Diallo’s nearest rivals all started their respective games with Lee getting a full 90 minutes, while Quinones and Chong got 79 and 83-minute run-outs respectively.

Amad Diallo’s season

Diallo’s fast start to the World Cup is in contrast to his slow end to the domestic season.

Since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty in January, Diallo failed to score and only managed one assist in 17 Premier League outings.

This is despite a strong finish to the campaign for the Red Devils, who managed to make it back into the Champions League with a third-place finish in the top flight.

Diallo, who joined Man United from Italian club Atalanta in 2021, is contracted at Old Trafford until the summer of 2030.

Ivory Coast’s World Cup campaign

The win over Ecuador handed the Elephants a huge boost in their bid to make it out of Group E.

A bigger test awaits Emerse Fae’s men on Saturday as they face Germany in Toronto.

And the Ivory Coast return to Philadelphia to round off their group campaign on June 25 when they face minnows Curacao.

Qualification for the knockout stage would represent the Ivory Coast’s best ever performance at a World Cup finals.

They previously failed to get out of the groups in three appearances at the tournament.