Amad Diallo has been on fire since Erik ten Hag was sacked, notching two goals and four assists since the Dutchman’s departure.
From being dejected for being overlooked for Antony under the former manager, the Ivorian has really come into his own under new coach Ruben Amorim.
While the goals from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee against Everton will have pleased the Portuguese, he will have been more impressed with the intensity shown by his players.
None more so than Amad, who won the ball back with his relentless pressing twice against the Toffees, with Amorim reserving special praise for him.
Amad impact
“He was really good defensively, and really good attacking, so he has to continue to play like that,” the head coach had said at the end of the game.
Such has been the 22-year-old’s impact that the coach has demanded INEOS offer him a new contract with his current deal expiring in 2025.
Having not had the chances he might have deserved under Ten Hag, the former Atalanta starlet could well have thrown his toys out of the pram when asked to play in an unfamiliar wingback role under the new coach.
Plenty of players have made their displeasure known when asked to sacrifice their favourite position for the betterment of the team, like Rashford and Antony in the recent past.
But the versatile forward has expressed no such qualms and has excelled as the wingback but the coach will know that he can play further forward as well, with versatility a highly-valued trait in Amorim’s system.
Speaking to the club website, the Ivory Coast international explained how desperate he is to play, something that he has made known to the boss as well.
Desperate to play
“You can’t be focused only in one position. Sometimes you can play as a defender, sometimes you can play as a striker.
“Wherever the manager puts me, I’m ready to fight for the team. I have no problem to play just as the right winger or no. 10, I can play everywhere. Like I said to the manager, if you need me as a keeper, I’m ready to do my best!”
This sort of determination, drive and hunger will please Amorim who has spoken of the need for intensity in all his players, something Amad is showing in abundance.
Despite the presence of other options, Amorim is likely to trust the Amad for the game against Arsenal on Wednesday, which will be his biggest test yet as United boss.
Feature image Michael Regan 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
