For Manchester United fans already facing a disappointing season, the injury to Amad Diallo last month was a significant blow, dampening any remaining optimism.
Shortly after a transfer window where Antony and Marcus Rashford left without direct replacements, news broke that Amad was injured, a development dreaded by supporters.
Ruben Amorim’s attacking options were significantly reduced in weeks, with the coach confirming Amad’s ankle injury would likely sideline him for the rest of the season.
The 22-year-old had been a standout performer for United under Amorim, delivering impressive performances against top teams like Liverpool and Manchester City, and scoring a hat-trick against Southampton.
Despite this setback, Amad has demonstrated his value to Amorim’s plans.
Amad’s Performance Comparison Under Different Managers
When Erik ten Hag took over in 2022, few expected Amad to break into the first team immediately. After a loan spell at Rangers where he had limited starts, his future was uncertain.
Amad was then loaned to Sunderland for the 2022/23 season, where he excelled, scoring 14 goals under Tony Mowbray.
An injury during the 2023 pre-season hampered Amad’s return to Manchester United’s first team. Even when fit, Ten Hag seemed reluctant to give him substantial playing time.
In the 2023/24 season, Amad made only 12 appearances for Manchester United, though he scored a memorable winning goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Despite showing promise in pre-season and scoring against Brighton, Amad never seemed to gain Ten Hag’s full confidence, playing just 36 minutes in Ten Hag’s final four Premier League matches.
Under Amorim, Amad has become central to the team, already surpassing his goals and assists tally under Ten Hag in fewer games.
Given his recent impact, it’s questionable why he wasn’t given more consistent opportunities previously.
| Amad’s Man Utd record by coach | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Erik ten Hag | 24 | 3 | 3 |
| Ruben Amorim | 20 | 6 | 5 |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Ralf Rangnick | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Michael Carrick | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 57 | 12 | 9 |
It’s even more surprising that Amad was once behind players like Omari Forson in the pecking order.
The Man Utd Player Once Preferred Over Amad
Amad’s rise is remarkable considering his status not long ago.
Journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted in December that Amad should have been insulted by Ten Hag’s suggestion that Antony deserved to start more due to training form.
This preference was evident when Antony was subbed on before Amad in a game against Fenerbahce. Amad only entered after Antony’s injury.
This situation epitomized the confusion around Ten Hag’s management of Amad, highlighted further by starting academy player Forson ahead of Amad in a match against Fulham in February 2024.
Luckhurst described this decision as ‘bizarre,’ especially since Forson, despite a prior assist, was less established than Amad.
Forson, nearing the end of his contract, declined a new deal and moved to Monza on a free transfer.
While Forson is talented, his struggles at Monza, where he has not scored or assisted in seven appearances for the Serie A bottom club, contrast sharply with Amad’s 16 goals and assists in 2024/25.
Forson’s free transfer exit doesn’t seem a major loss, particularly with Amad now thriving under different management.
Vihaan Mehrotra