Amad Diallo was unfortunate not to feature as Manchester United took on West Ham.

Diallo was named on the substitutes bench before the game for the first time after scoring three goals and providing three assists in two under-23 games.

Solskjaer explained to the club website: “Amad has been bright since he’s come in. He did really well in the reserves games and he’s a player who can create things out of nothing. So he’s there is we need something.“

Manchester United v West Ham United: The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
(Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

United struggled and laboured through 90 minutes and it certainly felt like the team ‘needed something’ as Solskjaer described.

So it was a little surprising to see the two 90th minute substitutions made and Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams both come on, with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford keeping their places.”

From a results perspective, it worked. United scored an injury time goal and reached the quarter-finals. Diallo has to wait for another day.

If he was disappointed he didn’t express it. Diallo sent a message after the game congratulating his teammates on the win.

Diallo was warming up on the touchline before Scott McTominay scored his goal.

 

It was quite possible Solskjaer would have made the extra substitute he was permitted to in extra-time had United not made the breakthrough.

He trusted the team to hold out and they did. It does feel like a missed chance to give the young winger his debut but there will be plenty of other times.

United are now into the quarter-finals and perhaps even this competition will go on to provide Diallo with a chance.

It will be interesting to see if he is with the first team squad this weekend for the tie with West Brom.

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