He’s “similar” to Semenyo: Man Utd hold talks over “generational” £87m star
It was difficult not to be heartened by the courage and resilience shown by Ruben Amorim’s makeshift Manchester United side on Friday evening, with the hosts clinging on to secure a vital 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Wave after wave of Magpies attacks were repelled even amid a carousel of changes in the Red Devils’ backline, with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven scooping the man of the match gong following his standout display as the only ever-present in that defensive unit.
The teenager’s task was no doubt made all the more difficult considering the woes of those ahead of him, with United’s string of attack-minded absences leaving them with little in the way of an out ball in that battling second-half.
How Amorim’s side could have done with the pace and power of a figure like Antoine Semenyo to drag them back up the pitch, with the Ghanaian’s blistering ball-carrying speed having been so evident in the 4-4 thriller with Bournemouth not too long ago.
Unfortunately, it looks increasingly likely that the 25-year-old will be heading elsewhere next month, with INEOS and United perhaps turning their attention to a suitable alternative instead.
Man Utd hold talks over Semenyo alternative
A summer that saw both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo snapped up from Premier League rivals might also have seen Semenyo follow suit, albeit with United believed to have been put off by the ex-Bristol City man’s £70m plus price tag.
Heading into the looming January window, those at Old Trafford seemingly revived that interest following suggestions that calls were being made last week, with the in-form forward available for a fee of £65m, owing to his upcoming release clause.
Frustratingly for United and other top-flight rivals, it looks to be Manchester City who will ultimately win the race for his signature, with Semenyo reportedly choosing the Etihad as his preferred destination for 2026, as per David Ornstein.
With that in mind, Amorim and co might well be shifting their focus, with TEAMtalk reporting that the club have ‘joined the chase’ for RB Leipzig sensation, Yan Diomande.
As per the report, United are the final member of the traditional ‘big six’ to have registered their interest in the 19-year-old, with INEOS having already held talks with the teenager’s camp in recent weeks.
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The piece does note that any potential move would likely have to be a summer one, however, with prior speculation suggesting he could be available for a fee of around £87m.
Why Diomande is so "similar" to Semenyo
It was evident again on Friday evening that a handful of absentees can leave United looking so desperately short at the top end of the pitch, with the hosts ending the game with Patrick Dorgu on one flank and Diogo Dalot on the other as the two most advanced wide options.
With no Amad and Mbeumo to call upon, and having allowed the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to depart, Amorim appears in real need of an extra spark – something to ignite his side in the final third.
Semenyo, with nine goals to his name already this season in the Premier League, would surely have done just that, although young Diomande might just be the next best thing, even if the Red Devils have to wait until next summer.
Indeed, in the view of The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, the pair are “physically similar”, with Diomande possessing “all the same skill and touch” as his senior counterpart.
That likeness can no doubt be seen in their recent goalscoring hot streaks in 2025/26 to date, with the Leipzig starlet – who is currently on AFCON duty – scoring six goals in the Bundesliga thus far, alongside providing two assists.
Like Semenyo too, there is a real two-footed quality to the £87m youngster, with Diomande having scored four of those with his right and two with his left, as per Sofascore.
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The most notable attribute that the Ivorian possesses is his fleet-footed dribbling prowess, ranking in the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90.
Diomande – 25/26 Bundesliga stats
Stat (per 90)
Diomande
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 an outlet in attack, Diomande also chips in defensively from his wide berth, ranking in the top 3% for interceptions and the top 11% for tackles per 90, with it no surprise that journalist Bence Bocsak hailed him as a “generational talent”.
Semenyo, for comparison, has his own strengths in a defensive sense too, ranking in the top 3% for both blocks and aerial duels won per 90, across the last 365 days.
Of course, it is the latter man who is hot property in the Premier League right now, yet if United are keen to seek out a more long-term, high-potential alternative, then Diomande could well be the man.
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