It was thought that Manchester United had acquired one of the world’s most gifted young players when Amad Diallo joined the team from Atalanta in January 2021. Unfortunately, after being benched by former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, the Ivorian’s progress at Old Trafford suffered.
But the presence of Ruben Amorim has given Amad’s life new vitality.
When the Portuguese head coach took over the Premier League powerhouses in November of last year, he immediately put his 3-4-3 system into practice.
Amad was moved from the right-forward position to the right-wing back position as one of his initial adjustments.
Starting with a bang under Amorim
Amad operated as a right wing-back in Amorim’s first game in charge against Ipswich Town, and helped secure a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.
The Ivorian was quite impressive in his new role, and even earned praise from the Portuguese head coach at full time.
“He was very good. In three days, he improved so much defensively. He was facing the left-back, he just had to follow him. He was so focused. He did a very good job,” said Amorim.
The 23-year-old’s importance to the new manager’s intentions quickly became apparent. Under Amorim, Amad helped United score three of their first five goals, proving that he fits in well with the Portuguese style of play.
In order to provide Amad acres of space to sprint into from a deeper position, Amorim gave wind to his sails. One of the few bright spots in the former Sporting manager’s difficult reign thus far has been the young player.
A lot of attacking intent in the wing-back role
Marauding wing-backs, who offer width when in control and are expected to counterpress as soon as the ball is lost, are a key component of Amorim’s strategy. To put it briefly, Amorim’s wing-backs are important players in the attack in addition to being defenders.
Interestingly, Amad possesses every essential quality that would make him a suitable candidate for the position.
The Ivorian has the ability to outscore his man and enjoys racing at defenders. In order to function as a 10, he frequently cuts inside and adds a dash of originality from the wide spaces.
Amad played in 26 Premier League games last season, tallying eight goals and six assists. For the record, Diogo Dalot, who also plays wing-back, only contributed three assists in 33 league appearances.
In contrast, the Portuguese scored 66 crosses with 18% accuracy in the Premier League. Despite only managing 15 crosses, the Ivorian’s accuracy was 60%.
Amad is not without flaws
Amad’s constant pressure in the closing third has also paid off quite a few times.
The former Atalanta player isn’t afraid to put in the necessary amount of work, but his defensive contributions fall short of Dalot’s. The Ivorian made 26 Premier League games last season and recorded 38 tackles, 11 interceptions, and two blocks.
Despite playing seven more games, the Portuguese recorded 68 tackles, 37 interceptions, and nine blocks. Despite just playing 12 games in the league the previous season and joining in January, Patrick Dorgu recorded 31 tackles and four interceptions.
While Amad is exceptional going forward, he is still coming to terms with the defensive aspects of the wing-back position. Of course, this is only expected from a young attacker who has only recently started operating in the role.
United struggled without their young talisman last season
Last season, Amad experienced a meteoric ascent in his new role. Fans were deeply impacted by the player’s efforts against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League and Everton in the Premier League.
Ivorian had developed into one of United’s most significant players by December 2024. Regretfully, he suffered an ankle injury in February that would keep him out of 15 Red Devil games.
Amorim’s club only won four of those games, struggling without their youthful talisman.
Bryan Mbeumo will help Amad improve
Amad has adapted to Amorim’s strategies like a sponge, but with Bryan Mbeumo leading the team, the young player should improve much more.
This season, they have started together twice and are already displaying the beginnings of a growing relationship. Interestingly, Amad will have more room to run into Mbeumo because of his propensity to stretch the opposition.
During defensive changes, Amad’s perseverance will be complemented by the Cameroonian’s work ethic.
United need Amad in the Manchester Derby
Last December, at the Etihad in the Premier League, Amad won over United supporters. For a large portion of the match, United was behind a goal from Josko Gvardiol. However, the Ivorian gave United the impetus to pull off an incredible comeback against their boisterous neighbors.
After intercepting a back pass, Amad won a late penalty, demonstrating his perseverance. But his second of the evening was a flash of personal genius.
Amad scored the game-winning goal after catching a long pass from Lisandro Martinez and flicking the ball over Ederson, who was running at him.
Naturally, United will also be depending on their unstoppable right wing-back at the Etihad the following weekend.
From Abidjan to Old Trafford, Amad has already come a long way so far. But it is at the right wing-back role in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system that the Ivorian has found his calling.
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