Rashford injury should give Amad Diallo a chance to shine

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Marcus Rashford was finally permitted to leave the England squad and return to Manchester United this week.

The Times reports Rashford has an ankle ligament injury which he aggravated against AC Milan.

United have not managed Rashford’s game time well, this season he has played in 45 matches plus a further two for England.

The next game is on April 4, and United should not rush Rashford back. It is the right moment to give Amad Diallo his chance.

Amad has waited for a role

Amad’s breakthrough came at home against AC Milan in which he scored a terrific header.

Since then he has just played six minutes out of 270 in subsequent games against West Ham, Milan, and Leicester.

Rashford’s injury should provide United with the opportunity to freshen up the attack.

It’s a great chance to give Amad some trust and hand him his first Premier League start.

So far Amad does not have a single league minute to his name, all of his game time has come in the Europa League.

If Amad can impress against Brighton, he should be given the opportunity to start against Granada too.

How might he fit in?

Amad can play on both flanks. His cameo for Atalanta in the Champions League in December came on the left wing, and he was a real threat during his brief showing.

So United could slot Amad in on the left in Rashford’s place, or put him on the right and select either Dan James or Mason Greenwood on the left.

Brighton are a side which leave gaps defensively, with United scoring six goals against them in two matches this season.

United scored six against them in two league games last season too. That’s 12 in the last four.

Amad would stand a real chance of enjoying some success against them.

If you look at the type of goals United have scored against Brighton, from Rashford’s solo run at the Amex to Fernandes’ volley after a counter-attacking goal last season, Amad could cause some real damage.

Amad showed his quality for United’s under-23 side with three goals and three assists in two matches. He is yet to start a game at any club level since.

Rashford’s injury should force Solskjaer’s hand. United need a difference maker in attack, and need to learn more about Amad’s ability to cut it at Premier League level.

With games upcoming against Tottenham and Liverpool over the next month, Solskjaer needs to get Amad into the team now, so he can become a viable option in his mind for those matches too.

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