After a stunning last season in which he scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists, Amad was expected to lead Manchester United’s attack heading into Ruben Amorim’s first full season in charge.
Amorim’s system employs two attacking midfielders alongside a striker, and in the previous campaign, the Ivorian started on the right of Rasmus Hojlund for the majority of the games.
His ability to dribble and beat his man, creativity and eye for goal stood out as the head coach trusted him for all the big occasions, unlike former boss Erik ten Hag.
But those plans might have changed. The Red Devils have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers to play on the left, and as things stand, the club is going all out to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Bryan Mbeumo.
Amad position change
The Cameroonian, if signed, is expected to play on the right, which means the Ivory Coast international is likely to play somewhere else.
TBR Football have claimed Amorim wants to utilise the 22-year-old as a right wingback permanently. The “brilliant” attacker did shine in that position when called upon.
“Amad Diallo likely to become right wing-back on a permanent basis under Ruben Amorim. In some ways (there are concerns about his position in the attack given the new signings) but Amad probably knows he’s heading towards playing the right wing-back role.
Journalist Graeme Bailey further explained, “I think the (Matheus) Cunha and (Bryan) Mbeumo signings, and (Joshua) Zirkzee still being there, tell us that the chances of Amad playing as an attacking midfielder are quite limited next season.
“We might see Amad play in that right-side (wing-back) role, that’s what (the transfer moves) are telling us. We know Amad is prepared to play there, he’s done it a number of times for Amorim, and let’s not forget the players who played that position for Amorim – (Geovany) Quenda at Sporting and look how good he is. He’s not a dissimilar type of player (to Amad).
Permanently right wingback
“It tells us that, while he likely won’t play an attacking midfield role at United, Amad is still very much in Amorim’s thinking. It’s a position, if they do it right, he’ll become an immense threat in, that (right wing-back) role.”
In fact, in Amorim’s first game in charge, the ex-Atalanta starlet started as a right wingback, providing Marcus Rashford with an assist within the first two minutes of the game.
In 10 games in that position, the African star netted four times while registering as many assists. Which goes to show how effective he can be.
The player has the engine to operate there, and as with Quenda, Amorim likes attacking options at wingback and Amad certainly fits the bill.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
