Translated freely from all of its inferior Noggy glory: http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/12/11/sport/fotball/premier_league/manchester_united/mame_biram_diouf/9471410/
Just after the Senegalese attacker had finished his Molde career in a defeat against the county rivals Molde in the final, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Dagbladet, "The boy has incredible potential. He will develop quite well once he gets together with the other lads in Manchester"
About a month later the 21 year old (he turns 22 on wednesday) has impressed more people than Solskjaer during his training at Manchester United, including those who have the final say in most of the club's issues, The club's mighty man and manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson told TV2 Sport:
"He's been brilliant, it's looking very promising. We're going to apply for his work permit in January"
The transfer from Molde to United was a bombshell to football Norway, which was in its mid-summer vacation in July, and Diouf himself was finding it hard to believe what advisor Jim Solbakken was saying when he told him that the contract was done-and-dusted, and just waiting for his signature.
Still, not many thought that he would arrive from the Norwegian Tippeliga ready to compete for a first-team spot right from the off. But if one interpretes Ferguson's statements, it seems that a loan to a smaller club is less likely than what was first assumed, seeing as United are eager to sort out his work permit.
The Scot has also heavily implied that Diouf will be allowed to develop within the high fences of the Carrington facilities. Ferguson said:
"It's things like these we're good at here, letting young players develop within the club. And at an age of 21 he's looking very good.
Just after the Senegalese attacker had finished his Molde career in a defeat against the county rivals Molde in the final, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Dagbladet, "The boy has incredible potential. He will develop quite well once he gets together with the other lads in Manchester"
About a month later the 21 year old (he turns 22 on wednesday) has impressed more people than Solskjaer during his training at Manchester United, including those who have the final say in most of the club's issues, The club's mighty man and manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson told TV2 Sport:
"He's been brilliant, it's looking very promising. We're going to apply for his work permit in January"
The transfer from Molde to United was a bombshell to football Norway, which was in its mid-summer vacation in July, and Diouf himself was finding it hard to believe what advisor Jim Solbakken was saying when he told him that the contract was done-and-dusted, and just waiting for his signature.
Still, not many thought that he would arrive from the Norwegian Tippeliga ready to compete for a first-team spot right from the off. But if one interpretes Ferguson's statements, it seems that a loan to a smaller club is less likely than what was first assumed, seeing as United are eager to sort out his work permit.
The Scot has also heavily implied that Diouf will be allowed to develop within the high fences of the Carrington facilities. Ferguson said:
"It's things like these we're good at here, letting young players develop within the club. And at an age of 21 he's looking very good.
Brilliant