Manchester United got their first pre-season win of the season as a strong team put away Rangers in their own backyard for a 2-0 win.
Leny Yoro impressed on his debut but the star of the show was Amad, who ran the opponents ragged in a huge statement of intent for his selection prospects.
The Ivorian left his fullback dizzy by using both feet out wide as he ran at the defence for fun, often creating a chance before he scored himself.
He has picked up from where he left off last season as he continues his ascent towards establishing himself at the club permanently.
Erik ten Hag spoke to MUTV after the game and made a big demand from the player, throwing down the gauntlet in front of him-
Ten Hag’s challenge to Amad
The manager was asked to expand upon Amad’s sensational display but Ten Hag, stoic as always, refused to get carried away.
He brushed aside suggestions of Amad being a young player, instead stressing that “we have to see Amad in a different way”.
Ten Hag said the player has already had quite an experience in senior football and needs to kick on now and take the next step in his development.
He said: “We have to see Amad in a different way. He is still young but not inexperienced anymore. Last season he had a bad time due to injuries but he ended the season well, playing good football.
“Before that, he had a good season in the Championship. So now, this season has to be the year [to establish himself]. Monday, he couldn’t play but today he played a very good game.”
He was also pleased with the improvement shown from Monday against Rosenborg: “Pre-season is a friendly but I want to win every game so I was very disappointed on Monday, especially with the performance.
“We want to grow. Performance on Monday had low standards. Today was much better. Much more on the front foot as a team so much more enjoyable to watch.”
Can Amad step up?
The reintroduction of Jadon Sancho to the first team was expected to make things more crowded for the wide spots but Amad has separated himself from the pack with this display.
He is up against Antony for that spot now and the Brazilian’s performances haven’t helped him at all. Still, it is an open secret that, for Ten Hag, Antony represents the “tried, tested, and trusted”.
Amad will have to be at the top of his game to make the right-wing spot his own permanently because slip-ups will open the door for Antony to return.
Ultimately, this is exactly the kind of competition that drives the players to do better and help the club in the long run.
The biggest beneficiary of this will be United, with two driven players helping each other find new levels every week.
It was Alejandro Garnacho in Ten Hag’s first summer, and Kobbie Mainoo in the second. For the third summer, the breakout player could be the one who was already on the first-team in Amad.
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