Amad Diallo took just 12 minutes to score three goals and spare Manchester United’s blushes against Southampton – but he remarkably doesn’t make the top 10 for the fastest hat-tricks in the history of the Premier League.
The in-form Ivorian, fresh from penning his long-term contract extension, netted in a breathless second-half flurry in last night’s 3-1 victory at Old Trafford and became the fastest United player to bag a top-flight hat-trick in the process.
United looked to be on the cusp of another chastening defeat under Ruben Amorim after Manuel Ugarte’s own goal but Diallo singlehandedly inspired them to mount a comeback, scoring in the 82nd, 90th and fourth minute of stoppage time.
However, it has been revealed that, despite his best efforts, Diallo narrowly missed out on chalking up one of the quickest hat-tricks in the league.
Indeed, his was only the 11th-fastest hat-trick in a top-flight match since the 2006-07 season, when exact goal times became available.
The record for the most rapid hat-trick still belongs to Sadio Mane, who scored three times in two minutes and 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2014-15.
Amad Diallo’s hat-trick inspired Manchester United to a crucial 3-1 win over Southampton
He brought up his three goals in a breathless second-half flurry under the Old Trafford lights
Boss Ruben Amorim praised the youngster but urged him to keep his feet on the ground
Robbie Fowler is next on the list after his three goals in just four minutes and 33 seconds in Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Arsenal in the 1994-95 campaign.
Jermaine Defoe, meanwhile, bagged a devastating hat-trick in seven minutes on the dot in Tottenham’s 9-1 drubbing of Wigan in 2009-10.
Gabriel Agbonlahor, who scored his three goals in seven minutes and 10 seconds against Manchester City in 2008-09, and Ian Wright, who netted his third against Ipswich in exactly nine minutes in 1994-95, round off the top five.
But Diallo can take solace from a number of other impressive achievements.
The only player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League at a younger age at United is Wayne Rooney, who achieved the feat against Bolton in 2006.
Diallo is also the first United player to bag a top-flight trio since Cristiano Ronaldo’s heroics against Norwich City at Old Trafford in April 2022.
He is also only the third player in Premier League history to score three times in the final 10 minutes of a match after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Nottingham Forest in February 1999 and Rooney against Hull in February 2010.
United boss Ruben Amorim heaped praise on Diallo post-match but told him to remain grounded, saying: ‘He has to rest, eat good food and Sunday we need him again. He did a great job, a good moment for a young kid to score a hat trick for a club like this.
Sadio Mane still holds the record for the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history
Diallo’s trio against the Saints was the 11th quickest at 12 minutes and seven seconds
‘He helped us and he is doing a very good season. I already spoke about this.
‘You have to be careful with the young kids. Congratulations to him, enjoy tonight and he needs to appreciate these moments.’
‘Maybe one of the best weeks in my life,’ said Diallo. ‘I am very happy for this win. This team deserved to win this game so I am very happy.
‘We know we have quality players in this team. We need sometimes to be more hungry in the final third. Today we showed at the end we were the best team. I am so happy for the win today because this team deserves it.’
