Erik ten Hag showed his faith in one of Manchester United’s key players against Brighton and it almost paid off.
Manchester United’s best player during pre-season was Amad Diallo, and he was rewarded with two consecutive Premier League starts to begin the season.
However, Amad was substituted after an hour against Fulham, just like he was in the Community Shield, suggesting he was on a short-leash.
The Ivorian managed 90 minutes against Brighton, only substituted in injury-time, after scoring his first goal of the 2024/25 season.
Amad bounces back from poor second half
Amad could be considered a little fortunate to have stayed on, after a lively but disappointing opening 45 minutes.
He blew United’s best chance of the first half after an excellent cross from Diogo Dalot, failing to land his effort on target or strike it with conviction.
And he wasted a counter-attack where he mistimed his pass when United overloaded Brighton, playing the ball behind Marcus Rashford.
These were rare miscues from Amad, who was playing hours after he revealed the death of his mother via social media.
The easy decision for Erik ten Hag at half-time would have been to decide Amad’s head was elsewhere, and he would take him off, with the team 1-0 down.
Instead the manager stuck by Amad, and was rewarded with the winger scoring Manchester United’s only permitted goal of the game, after wonderful piece of play.
Amad took out an onrushing Brighton defender with cut inside the penalty area, before his goalbound shot was deflected in by another, equalising the game.
He had 53 touches in total, delivering a much improved second 45 minutes which showed character as well as ability.
Phil Bardsley praises Amad
Amad was singled out for praise on MUTV’s Matchday Review by former United right-back Phil Bardsley.
He said: “Outstanding. He’s had a really good start to the season, really positive, gets you on the edge of your seat.
You want to watch them wingers flying inside creating chances, he deserves his place in the side.
“He had to be patient last year at times. Hopefully he can keep putting in the performances like that.”
Amad was replaced by Antony late on, but the Brazilian did not get any real time to stake a claim of his own.
United went on to lose the game 2-1 after conceding a defensively poor goal in stoppage time.
Alejandro Garnacho replaced Marcus Rashford on the left, and this is a change many would prefer to see against Liverpool, rather than taking Amad out.
Liverpool will be particularly wary of Amad after his devastating goal against them in the FA Cup, and his performance against Brighton should have been enough to keep his place.
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