Manchester United's Carabao Cup campaign ended with a thrilling 4-3 quarter-final loss to Tottenham Hotspur. While the outcome upset fans, one name stood out: Amad Diallo. The Ivorian's spectacular performance grabbed attention and provided United supporters with a sense of optimism for the future.
Amad did not start the game and Antony was preferred instead. However, Antony struggled to make a mark and failed to register a single shot on goal. When Amad came on in the 55th minute, United trailed 3-0 and the game appeared out of grasp.
In the face of increasing pressure, Amad rose to the occasion. Displaying smooth dribbling, he broke through Tottenham’s defense, making key passes and generating opportunities. In under 43 minutes, Amad produced a performance that surpassed his numerous teammates. He took five shots, two of which were on target, and successfully executed all long passes attempted. His performance earned him a solid 8/10 grade from the Manchester Evening News.
Amad's performance against Tottenham was about more than simply scoring. Diallo's speed and agility made him a constant threat whenever he had the ball. Despite this setback in the Carabao Cup, The Ivorian winger's performance is a bright spot for Manchester United in an otherwise difficult season. His performances have drawn praise and respect from supporters and critics equally.
This isn’t the first time Diallo has impressed. Recently, he changed the course of the match against Manchester City by winning a penalty and scoring the decisive goal within two minutes. Head coach Ruben Amorim's rotation strategy led to mixed results. Although it is essential to maintain player fitness and keep them fresh, dropping a talent like Amad to the bench may severely harm United in critical matches.
As Manchester United looks forward to the rest of the season, Amad's exceptional performance in the Carabao Cup acts as a sign of optimism. As United prepares for a clash with Bournemouth in the Premier League, focus will be on Amorim's team selection. Considering Amad's recent performances, it is hard to imagine him being excluded from the starting XI.