‘Now I’m happy…’: Utd fan-favourite appears to aim thinly-veiled dig at Ten Hag, he’s well within his rights | OneFootball

If there’s one Manchester United player who benefitted substantially from Erik ten Hag’s late October sacking, it’s Amad Diallo.

It takes just one look at the starlet’s minutes and goal returns since he was freed from the shackles of being nothing more than an off-the-bench option for Ten Hag.

Amad made just six starts in the 14 games the Dutchman managed in 2024/2025, despite ending last season with consecutive goal contributions and adding a goal and assist to his tally early on in the term against Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton.

A year ago, he returned from a lengthy injury layoff to make his first outing of 23/24 away to Nottingham Forest, after which he did not feature until February. The Ivorian was then overlooked for five straight Premier League games, which saw United win once, draw twice and lose twice. He made three league starts in total throughout the campaign.

Amad is finally playing the integral role he deserves

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Even Amad’s emphatic FA Cup heroics against Liverpool in March were not enough to earn him a spot in the starting XI for the subsequent semi-final vs Coventry City. Instead, he entered the fray at the beginning of extra-time, making just a half-hour cameo, and was benched for the entirety of the final victory over Manchester City.

Thankfully for the Old Trafford faithful, Ruben Amorim knew to utilise the player whose creative statistics set him apart from his attacking counterparts by a country mile. Prior to the defeat to Bournemouth, Amad was averaging a goal or assist every 80 minutes under the new head coach, bettering Mohamed Salah’s record of a goal contribution every 93 minutes under Jurgen Klopp – albeit in considerably fewer matches.

Alas, the 22-year-old would be well within his rights to feel aggrieved at the treatment he received during Ten Hag’s tenure, which he seemingly hinted at in a recent interview with SuperSport.

“Let’s say maybe it’s confidence because now I’m playing a lot of games,” he said of his stellar form. “Like I am now, I’ve been every time like this, but maybe the game time and confidence (is the difference).

“But now I’m happy to play more games, and I just want to fight for the club, for the team. Every time the manager gives me the confidence and gives me the chance to play for this club, I just want to show I can play for this club.”

More Stories / Latest News

‘Now I’m happy…’: Utd fan-favourite appears to aim thinly-veiled dig at Ten Hag, he’s well within his rights

Dec 29 2024, 7:24

‘One to watch’: Sky Sports journo urges Utd fans to keep tabs on their pursuit of wantaway ex-Amorim protegee

Dec 29 2024, 6:36

‘Will leave’: Romano provides fresh update on ‘technically brilliant’ Utd star who Van Nistelrooy wants at Leicester

Dec 28 2024, 17:00