Michael Carrick’s tactics have shown how even Amad Diallo’s ‘obvious’ playing style is not left exposed in his approach to Manchester United during his reign so far.
Amad Diallo missed the tail end of Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford after he was called up to represent the Ivory Coast at the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Amad is now worth ___________
Fill in the blank!
The 23-year-old Ivorian winger had been shifted to a wing-back role under former United manager Ruben Amorim during the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
However, Amorim’s sacking as Man Utd manager paved the way for Amad to return in a more attacking-minded role under the tactics of interim boss Michael Carrick.
Carrick has been using the Ivory Coast international predominantly out on the right wing, with Bryan Mbeumo shifting to the central forward role in his set-up.
Michael Carrick explains how Amad Diallo is now benefiting from selected Man Utd players around him
Michael Carrick talked up Bruno Fernandes for the different roles that he played during Manchester United’s 2-0 win over 10-man Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes has mainly played as the No 10 in Carrick’s tactical approach, but the Man Utd captain highlighted his versatility against Spurs on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of Man Utd’s clash with West Ham on Tuesday evening, Carrick spotlighted his instructions for Amad Diallo to switch to the right against Tottenham.
During United’s encounter with Tottenham, Carrick’s tactics to Amad in the first half saw the winger move to the right and he felt that he would be supported by others around him.
Prove us wrong… Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are the best midfield trio in the Premier League
There is not another trio we would swap them for!
“Yeah, within reason, as long as we carry out the roles properly,” he said at his pre-match press conference, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“I mean, it’s not a total free-for-all, where you can kind of go and decide, it’s a little bit of where you end up.
“Bruno is that type where he understands the different roles and plays them particularly well. And Bryan has done very similar.
“So has Matheus, as well, playing sometimes through the middle and sometimes off the left. So, it does give us the variety, I think.
“They’re all suited to different kinds of roles. Amad is probably more of naturally being wide and so that’s a little bit more predictable, if you like.
“The flexibility certainly helps us, as long as we look after the positions when we don’t have the ball.”
Amad Diallo’s playing style is being complemented by the likes of Man Utd duo Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha
Amad’s “more predictable” nature, as Carrick has pointed out, is not necessarily a criticism as it might have been perceived under, say, former boss Ruben Amorim.
After all, former United manager Amorim was not afraid to put his own players on blast at times, including the likes of Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot.
Are you confident Man Utd will win vs West Ham and end the losing streak at the London Stadium?
Even Amad was limited to the full extent of his ability on the right flank under Amorim and his defensive vulnerabilities left him exposed earlier this season.
However, the Man Utd winger’s shortcomings in terms of flexibility under Carrick are not detrimental to his cause due to the other players on the pitch to support him.
Carrick does not necessarily need Amad to do what Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha do because he’s not equipped to do their roles.
However, what the 44-year-old United interim head coach has shown is that he can find ‘balance’ with making up one player’s ‘predictability’ with another star’s strength.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
