Amad is the name on every Manchester United fan’s lips after his irresistible display set the team on the path to the first victory in Europe this season.
The 2-0 win over PAOK sees Man Utd climb up the table to 15th place and while there’s still a lot to be done to finish in the top eight, this was a good first step.
Most importantly, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s good work with the team will leave Ruben Amorim to build something on instead of writing the season off.
Amad has probably sealed his place in the starting XI for the weekend and speaking after the game, he credited one man with the upturn in form which has seen him come in from the cold.
Amad thanks Ruud van Nistelrooy for his words
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been a breath of fresh air since his installment as the Man Utd manager and while there have been no huge tactical changes, his man management has been a plus.
He has brought in many players who were outsiders under Ten Hag and trusted them with responsibility which has been repaid.
Manuel Ugarte has become a starter under him and Amad, after a couple of great cameos, started Van Nistelrooy’s third game.
He kissed the badge after scoring his second and was a nightmare to deal with throughout, and he credited Van Nistelrooy for his words of encouragement which have liberated him to be at his best.
Amad said: “He [Van Nistelrooy] gives us a lot of confidence. He tells us to enjoy the game and he is so important for everyone. He says to play the game like I know I want to so I just want to thank him for the opportunity he gives me.”
With Van Nistelrooy’s place in the setup under the scanner, as Ruben Amorim brings his own batch of staff members, these public endorsements will do no harm to his prospects.
Amad picks his favourite of the two goals
Both the goals Amad scored vs PAOK showed two facets of the game that his rivals for the wide positions are lacking sometimes.
For the first, he had the ghosting movement at the far post and expertly guided a header across the goalkeeper and into the goal.
For the second, he showed sheer will and determination to win the ball back by pressing intensely and then protecting it will all his strength to curl his shot around the goalkeeper.
Asked after the game to pick his favourite of the two, however, he had a clear favourite and even that choice had Van Nistelrooy’s fingerprints all over it, as he said.
Amad said: “I would say the second one. I pressed hard and got the ball and scored. We worked hard on that pressing and finishing in training. After training, we stay behind to do some finishing. If the ball doesn’t come to me, I’ll get the ball.”
The Ivorian will get another chance to audition for Amorim when Leicester travel to Old Trafford, in the league this time, which could also be Van Nistelrooy’s final game at United.
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