Why Erik ten Hag overlooked Amad Diallo in support of underperforming Manchester United star

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Amad Diallo has been one of the silver linings in a difficult season for Manchester United.

Coming into the 2024/25 campaign, Amad Diallo was a fringe player looking to make his breakthrough at one of the world’s biggest clubs. He felt ready and Erik ten Hag went public to set Amad a challenge for the season ahead.

Now, at the age of 22, Amad has become one of Manchester United’s most threatening players in the final third.

Ruben Amorim has been quick to show a degree of trust in Amad which has been repaid with strong performances on the pitch. While results haven’t been good enough, the new Manchester United head coach is still trying to identify which players are best suited to his preferred 3-4-3 system.

Everyone will get chances under Amorim, but Amad is one of the few players taking advantage of that.

The highlight of Amad’s season thus far came last week in the Manchester derby when he inspired the Reds to victory over Manchester City at the Etihad. He won the penalty for Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser and scored the winner in stoppage-time to stun Pep Guardiola’s side.

Benni Carthy explains why Erik ten Hag overlooked Amad Diallo

Former United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has explained why Erik ten Hag preferred big-money signings like Antony over Amad.

Antony, 24, has been a major disappointment since joining United from Ajax in 2022.

Yet McCarthy has revealed why Ten Hag preferred to keep faith with big-money signings even when they were struggling with form.

Speaking to the Podcast and Chill Network, McCarthy said: “Tactically, when we set up, the manager [Ten Hag] felt that Antony was the best, better player for the job that he wanted because he knew Antony from Ajax.

“He was his player, so he invested in him, and the club supported him. So, of course, he had to support the player that he bought, I think that’s why he persisted in playing Antony. It’s because he knew the capabilities when Antony was at his best.

“And then you had [Alejandro] Garnacho who was also playing well, scoring goals. [Marcus] Rashford, on any given day, could demolish anyone. And then you’ve got [Rasmus] Hojlund, you spend £70m on bringing him in, so he has to play.

“So someone’s got to [miss out], and unfortunately for Amad, the manager goes with the player he thinks is probably more capable for those type of games tactically, defensively and attacking.”

Amad is proving Erik ten Hag wrong

When you look at Amad’s work-rate and goal contributions this season, it beggars belief that he didn’t feature more regularly under Ten Hag.

The Dutchman lost his job at Old Trafford over a month ago and questions are bound to be asked why he didn’t change things around more and put faith in players like Amad earlier than he did.

Antony has made a lot more appearances for United, with a significantly worse goal contribution rate than Antony, who is experiencing his breakthrough season.

The boy that came from Atalanta in 2021 is now a man performing on the biggest stage.