Ten Hag's biggest mistake? Man Utd fans FUME at Amad Diallo treatment

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 2 Dec 2024 07:06 GMT
• 4 min read

Erik ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United over a month ago, but he continues to be heavily criticised by the Red Devils fanbase.

The Dutchman was handed his marching orders on 28 October after a dismal run of results left Man Utd with their worst ever points tally after 10 games of a Premier League season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy steadied the ship during his interim spell, and earned a move to Leicester City in the process, while Ruben Amorim has enjoyed a supremely successful first few weeks in charge at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Rashford heaps praise on Amorim despite Man Utd exit talk

Man Utd were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town during Amorim’s first match in the dugout, but they subsequently ran out 3-2 winners over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, before battering Everton 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee both bagged braces against Sean Dyche’s men, but it was Amad Diallo who caught the eye most as his revival under Amorim continues.

The 22-year-old was a peripheral figure during Ten Hag’s reign, however he has immediately become a key player since the appointment of Amorim and he looks reborn in a new right wing-back role.

READ MORE: 'My gaffer!' - Man Utd fans rejoice as Zirkzee stars in new Amorim role

Amad earned a 9.2 match rating on Football Critic for his performance versus Everton - the highest of any player - with the Ivorian causing constant chaos down Man Utd’s right flank.

He now has two goals and four assists in his last four starts for the Red Devils, and the club’s pursuit of Sporting CP wonderkid Geovany Quenda has been called into question as a result.

Amad was hampered by a knee injury last season, but he still only started three Premier League games during the 2023-24 campaign, despite being named in the matchday squad on 17 occasions.

Ten Hag instead chose to utilise Alejandro Garnacho and the aforementioned Rashford as his first choice wing pairing, with Amad forced to play a rotation role at Old Trafford.

That has completely changed since Amorim’s arrival, and the Ivory Coast international now looks to be one of Man Utd’s most important players.

What have Man Utd fans said?