Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho singled out West Ham defender Issa Diop for praise yesterday.
West Ham beat Man United 3-1 at The London Stadium and Mourinho was impressed by Diop’s display at the back.
Mourinho’s words
Man United struggled to test West Ham’s defence too much. Fabian Balbuena and Diop’s blossoming partnership dealt with the threat of Romelu Lukaku.
Although the Belgian struck the post, West Ham largely kept him quiet. And this was more satisfying, given Lukaku’s personal record against the Hammers.
Mourinho largely put that down to Diop’s performance.
He told BT Sport (with quotes from The London Evening Standard): “(He had a) fantastic match. Congratulations to the scout that found a 21-year-old kid Diop – a monster who dominated in the duels.”
Diop at West Ham
West Ham signed Diop this summer from Toulouse for a sizeable transfer fee.
But the France under-21 international is proving why West Ham shelled big bucks to land their man.
Standing at 6ft 4in, Diop is every bit the “monster” that Mourinho describes. His ability in the air is frightening considering his age.
The 21-year-old has adjusted to life in England very quickly and his partnership with Balbuena is getting better each game.
The Hammers may have found their long-term solution at the back in Diop.
Mourinho seems suitably impressed. Given Manchester United’s woes in central defence, which saw him start Scott McTominay at centre-back yesterday, Diop would have been an excellent signing.
But thankfully for Hammers fan, Diop was snapped up by the East Londoners instead.
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