Ruben Amorim has Erik ten Hag to thank for Manchester United ace who has been ‘so good’

He was electric against City...

Dec 17, 2024 - 00:00
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Ruben Amorim has Erik ten Hag to thank for Manchester United ace who has been ‘so good’

In his first Manchester derby, Ruben Amorim heaped even more pressure on Man City and Pep Guardiola with a late, late win at the Etihad Stadium.

At various stages of the match at the Etihad Stadium, Amorim appeared to have his head in his hands and as he paced up and down the touchline, he seemed to be resigned to the inevitable.

Manchester City had taken the lead through a towering Josko Gvardiol header, and the Red Devils weren’t really offering anything in response.

That was until a previously written off-Amad Diallo came to the fore, Rio Ferdinand suggested United had written off. The 22-year-old Ivorian had been the visitor’s liveliest player all afternoon and had already gone close with a glancing header which Ederson did well to turn around the post.

It clearly wasn’t enough for him just to earn the penalty from which Bruno Fernandes slammed home a late equaliser.

Amad’s defence-splitting run and super first touch to take the ball away from City’s excellent custodian got the finish it deserved and, from out of nowhere, the Premier League’s serial winners were beaten again thanks to the belief of one player.

Ruben Amorim thanks Erik ten Hag for Amad Diallo development

Amad Diallo, who Erik ten Hag had made a regular in the Man United squad, was their key man in what could turn out to be a vital win for the Red Devils.

Although the game was far from vintage, Ruben Amorim still had cause to thank his predecessor in his post-match interview. Respect goes both ways and the Portuguese appeared keen to ensure that everyone understood that Ten Hag’s time at Manchester United wasn’t completely in vain.

In the aftermath, Amorim was quick to laud his predecessors for their hand in the youngster’s development in the wake of what was a typical smash-and-grab in the blue half of Manchester.

Given how low ten Hag’s stock had fallen at the Theatre of Dreams, that might be considered something of a surprise too.

“He’s so good, so humble. But let’s stay calm with Amad, keep calm,” the Portuguese noted. “Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy did a great job with him, we continue that. Really important.”

Amad was sensational vs the Cityzens, as he has been constantly since Amorim’s arrival.

Without Amad’s late intervention in the match, the Red Devils would’ve headed back to Old Trafford with their tails between their legs and equalled a record from Louis van Gaal’s time in charge.

Whilst there were flashes seen of what the manager is trying to achieve with a squad that arguably isn’t good enough for such a storied outfit, United were, in the main, disappointing.

Manchester United must make use of Amad Diallo’s burgeoning talent

What was seen beyond doubt on Sunday afternoon is that Diallo is a player that is in the ascendancy. At just 22, he’s already proving how important he could be to this United squad.

Amad Diallo stats vs Manchester City
Pass Success91%
Dribbles5
Total Shots4
Goals1
via WhoScored.com

His four shots against Man City were two more than any other player in the United squad, and with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho bombed out for one of the most important fixtures of the season by Ruben Amorim, a real opportunity has presented itself.

The comments made by the manager post-match hint at a real appreciation of Amad’s talent too. If his team-mates can start to play with the urgency and positivity displayed by the youngster, it won’t be too long before the Red Devils start to climb back up the English top-flight.

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