Whisper it, but the sort of finish produced by Manchester United’s rising star against Real Betis is starting to become something of a personal trademark. His very own ‘finisher’ move.
Just like against Newcastle towards the back end of last season – when Amad Diallo opened his Premier League account for the Red Devils – Manchester United’s number 19 needed no invitation as he hammered a fierce left-footed finish into the back of the net.
This time, Real Betis were the victims of Amad’s power-packed ball-striking; the former Atalanta starlet lashing home an almost identical shot as Erik ten Hag’s side turned the game around in the blink of an eye following Iker Losada’s 15th minute opener at the Snapdragon Stadium.
Fittingly, given the explosive nature of Amad’s finish, ‘dynamite’ was the word United goalkeeper Tom Heaton used to describe another incendiary performance.
Amad Diallo shines for Manchester United vs Real Betis
“He was dynamite,” Heaton told BBC Sport.
“Since I have been here his ability has been incredible. Now you see more confidence and more belief and he is getting more game time, then you can see his game coming together.”
Not only did he put United ahead for the first time on the night, Amad also won the penalty converted by Marcus Rashford shortly after Losada put the La Liga outfit ahead.
With Antony’s Red Devils career only heading in one direction and Alejandro Garnacho still resting up following Argentina’s Copa America triumph, the ex-Sunderland and Rangers loanee is certainly staking his claim for a starting berth ahead of next week’s Wembley re-match with Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Ten Hag indicated after the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal that 2024/25 could be a breakout season for Amad in a Man United shirt.
And the Dutchman was again full of praise for the 22-year-old Ivorian after he emphatically converted a cross from fellow youngster Harry Amass against Betis.
“Yes, he is performing well,” Ten Hag told the Manchester United official website. “And (Amad is having) a good pre-season so far.
“You could see absolutely he is making an uplift in his game, also in the defending part with the counter-press. Also with the pressing, he is doing really well.
“So, I am really pleased with his performance.”
Marcus Rashford and Casemiro score in the USA
Like in the first half against Arsenal, Man United played some eye-catching stuff at times.
Teenage left-back Amass was outstanding again – doing a very passable Luke Shaw impression as he raided forwards to devastating effect – while Jadon Sancho impressed as a false nine, opening up spaces for Marcus Rashford and Amad in a manner akin to new recruit Joshua Zirkzee.
There was also a goal to cap an impressive Casemiro performance. With offers hardly flooding in, Man United may be hoping that next season can be something of a reputation-saver for the veteran Brazilian.
“I think it was okay. The lads did well,” Ten Hag adds. “At the start, we had some problems in getting control and we went 1-0 down which shouldn’t happen. I actually think this was the first time they entered our box.
“But then we took over and we bounced back. I think we made three really good goals. First, the penalty and it was a good action from Amad. The second I would say is a very good goal. The third one from the corner is also a nice goal.
“The second where Harry Amass put the cross (in) and Amad scored the goal with the finish was lovely.
“What we want to achieve is we want to be very proactive and very aggressive and it doesn’t matter if sometimes we are high (up the pitch) or sometimes in a lower block. We have to be very aggressive and in order to get this we need to start the press at certain points and all be on one page.
“Then the intensity must convert to being with the ball and we must do this as a team.”
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