62nd minute moment showed exactly who Ruben Amorim’s MVP is at Man Utd – he changed the game

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Manchester United can thank one man for sparking life into Thursday night’s game against Viktoria Plzen.

Ruben Amorim looked like he was heading for a third straight defeat on Thursday in the Czech Republic before Rasmus Hojlund stepped up.

Hojlund emerged from the bench in the 56th minute and just six minutes later, he put the Red Devils level at 1-1.

Manchester United then had several chances, before Hojlund scored his second and broke a Wayne Rooney record, as the Red Devils won 2-1.

However, without one player, this comeback may never have even started and Hojlund would never have had the chance to score his first goal.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Amad Diallo changes the game for Manchester United

So while Hojlund got all the plaudits for scoring and firing up United’s comeback, it was Amad Diallo who lit the fuse in the 62nd minute with his moment of brilliance.

Before Hojlund tapped the ball into an open net, Amad created a chance from nothing as he used a mesmerising Lionel Messi-esque piece of skill and body feint to leave the Plzen defender lost.

After this, the Ivorian’s shot deflected right into Hojlund’s path for the easiest goal he will score all season. It was effectively an assist for Amad, although will not be counted as one.

• 41/44 passes
• 1 chance created
• 1 big chance missed
• 63 touches
• 1 dribble
• 1 tackle
• 9 recoveries
• 5 duels won

Amad was not at his absolute best level in this win and should have had at least two assists, with Hojlund unhappy at Amad post-game for failing to set him up.

But his ability to conjure up a moment of pure magic and change the game makes him Amorim’s MVP and almost every game he is showing this to be true.

• READ MORE: Who is Amad Diallo? Height, Position, Transfer Fee, Salary, Career

Ineos must sort contract for Ruben Amorim’s star man

Despite being sparingly used by Erik ten Hag, immediately under Amorim the £16m winger was used as a key player just like he deserved to be.

Now, one month later and Ineos considers Amad one of just six unsellable names in the United squad.

What makes this concerning, is that Amad currently runs out of contract in 2025 – with an extension still not agreed.

United have the option to trigger a one-year extension. But now United will hand Amad a new contract in the near future, with all parties keen to agree.

Amorim has turned Amad into the player the club always believed they had signed and this is within a matter of weeks. The scary part, he can still get even better.