Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists that Amad Diallo could still have a part to play at the Premier League giants with the former Sunderland loanee ‘doing well in training’.
It reports are to be believed, the Red Devils coach could respond to the absence of top-scorer Rasmus Hojlund by handing 19-year-old Omari Forson a first-ever Premier League start at home to Fulham on Saturday.
Forson has allegedly been training in a front three alongside Marcus Rashford and fellow teenager Alejandro Garnacho, with his possible inclusion removing the necessity for Erik ten Hag to call upon the out-of-form Antony and, thus, shift Rashford into a centre-forward role while swapping Garnacho from the right to the left.
Ten Hag did not confirm his plans to the Manchester Evening News. But he did admit that Forson – who assisted Kobbie Mainoo’s 97th minute winner at Wolves recently – had caught the eye behind the scenes.
He spoke similarly of another youngster, Amad Diallo, who’s lack of minutes have been a source of much frustration among some members of the United fanbase.
Manchester United without Rasmus Hojlund vs Fulham
“We have possibilities there (in attack), with Diallo returning from an injury,” the Dutchman explains. “He is doing well in training. Omari Forson, he is doing well. We have options to fill in those positions.
“It is not set Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward.”
Diallo, so impressive on loan at Sunderland last term, missed the first few months of the season through injury. Even after returning to fitness, he has found opportunities hard to come by, however. The £19 million signing from Atalanta has been left on the bench since that impressive 36-minute cameo against Nottingham Forest nearly two months ago.
Erik ten Hag backs Antony to bounce back
Ten Hag, meanwhile, insists that the much-maligned Antony can also be relied upon to step up in Hojlund’s absence, even if the Brazilian has not come close to building upon a promising debut season at Old Trafford.
“Ah yes, absolutely (we believe in Antony),” Ten Hag adds. “He has to prove a point, but he will do. And he has a big potential. He hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is.
“It is about proving his talent. It is about him. He will probably get his opportunities.
“But that was always the idea. You have competition. Now, he has to show himself on the training pitch.”
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