Man Utd star already giving Ruben Amorim a PROBLEM

Robin Bairner

• 8 Nov 2024 06:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Ruben Amorim is not going to be short of problems when he takes full charge of Manchester United next week, but one of his most immediate headaches will be a positive one.

Amad Diallo’s performance for interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy against PAOK on Thursday in the Europa League was one that demanded attention.

The winger started four of the first five Premier League matches early this season under Erik ten Hag before dropping back to the bench to be replaced by Alejandro Garnacho. He did so having scored one goal and created another.

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Van Nistelrooy changed things around against PAOK, switching the Argentine to the left and fielding Amad on the right. It was a move that proved fruitful, with the 22-year-old scoring twice.

But not only did he net on a couple of occasions, he also carried United’s main threat. The former Atalanta player had five shots, including three on target, 50 touches and one key pass. He also completed two tackles and blocked three passes – both team-high figures for the game.

This is, of course, great news of Amorim – more players in good form can only be positive for the incoming boss.

Yet it also gives him a major decision to make over the misfiring Marcus Rashford, a player influential in setting the tone of the squad at Man Utd and one unlikely to take kindly to being dropped by a new head coach.

Amad over Rashford?

Where Amad has a goal contribution every 152 minutes in the Premier League and Europa League, Rashford has only chipped in every 232 minutes.

The England winger’s lack of form is nothing new. Since the international break in March, prior to which he had scored in three successive games, Rashford has netted only four goals, half of which were against Barnsley.

Compared

Amad Diallo

F (R), M (CR)

Man Utd

Amad Diallo

F (R), M (CR)

Man Utd

VS

Marcus Rashford

F (CL), M (L)

Man Utd

Marcus Rashford

F (CL), M (L)

Man Utd

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

15	Appearances	16
701	Minutes Played	1113
3	Goals	4
1	Assists	3
18	Key Passes	18
19	Shots Total	29
21	Tackles	8

Amad also looks purpose-built for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, further counting against the 27-year-old.

So will Amorim be tough enough to arrive at Man Utd a do what’s clearly right, finding a way for Amad to start, or will Rashford be given yet another reprieve?