Manchester United will go into their first competitive (or semi-competitive) fixture of the season in the Community Shield vs Manchester City devoid of momentum.
Liverpool brushed them aside 0-3 in a display of contrasting clinical finishing, as Liverpool scored thrice from five shots on target while United huffed and puffed.
Despite creating chances, United’s forwards struggled so they will want to forget it soon, even though there were some building blocks in the game.
Erik ten Hag’s injury update after the game wasn’t very rosy either, but United still had one big positive to take from the game, a theme that has continued all pre-season- The ascent of Amad as a superstar.
Amad’s all-action display
In a game where the team looked fatigued and devoid of ideas, snatching at chances at every opportunity, Amad separated himself from the pack.
He kept running at the defence, trying to make things happen, and it reflected in the performance as he created three chances for the team.
Of course, none of those were finished, and he was somewhat guilty too, of not finding the target with his two shots, but the effort and invention weren’t lacking.
Furthermore, he continued his evolution into a team player with a complete skill set as he sacrificed himself in the defensive phase as well.
He finished the game (played 62 minutes) with seven defensive actions as he was ever-present for his fullback in tracking back and avoiding overloads by Liverpool.
He won seven out of eight duels, always willing to throw his body into the thick of the action instead of shying away from challenges. (Stats via Fotmob)
It was in stark contrast to most of the team as Ten Hag alluded after the game that they looked tired and fatigued as a grueling pre-season came to an end.
Not Amad, though, as he looks like he’s enjoying the best footballing phase of his career so far.
Amad’s ascent
Ten Hag hasn’t shied away from heaping praise, and pressure on Amad this season in contrast to the last two seasons.
He has declared that this has to be Amad’s season and so far, with his pre-season displays, he looks well on his way to making that prediction come true.
The fact that it is coming at United’s main problem position of the last decade or so, right-wing, is even more encouraging as Antony has struggled to find any form.
The Ivorian’s trickery and understanding of the game has been honed by multiple loan spells and his physical skills have come on leaps and bounds.
He has started contributing to the defensive phase as well, something which Ten Hag has always stressed in upcoming youngsters looking to break through.
The manager’s trust has been earned, the supporters were always on his side, and the teammates have started looking for him on the field.
The stage is set for Amad’s ascent into a superstar.
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