Dimitar Berbatov expecting Amad Diallo to play key role this season | OneFootball

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed his true feelings on Amad Diallo and the hype surrounding the rising star following an impactful pre-season performance.

Amad’s impact could be felt right from the start of the pre-season, scoring a goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Rangers. Following the win, manager Erik ten Hag set some high expectations for the 22 year old. “At the end of last season he had a very good time in our first team, played some good games,” Ten Hag declared. “Now this has to be the year. It’s great that he starts like this.”

He duplicated this performance with another attacking masterclass in a 3-2 win over Real Betis, scoring a goal to hand Man United the win.

Having gone on to secure a spot in Ten Hag’s starting 11 in the FA Community Shield as well as the Premier League opener against Fulham, bets will be on as to whether Amad can extend his fine form into the season, validating the high hopes that many United fans hold for him.

United legend Dimitar Berbatov was quick to share his thoughts on one of the club’s most exciting up-and-coming talents.

In an interview with FUTBIN, Berbatov voiced his admiration for Amad.

“Amad is still very, very young with a lot of football to play. I think it was beneficial for him to go on loan to Sunderland because you could see he wasn’t ready to face and play regularly in the Manchester United first team. Now there’s an improvement and growth in the way that he plays football,” the former United striker explained.

Still, he warned that despite the Ivorian’s undoubted talent, his place in the team is far from guaranteed. “I think ten Hag said that Amad is now ready to make the difference and to play more but the competition is going to be high.”

Berbatov went on to give some expert advice to Amad, particularly as he fights for his place in the starting 11. “You need concentration on the training pitch, concentration during the games and whilst you prepare for games.”

“Don’t be discouraged when you’re not playing. Sometimes football can be cruel but stay fighting, do your best in training and I think he’ll get chances to play this season. He has to seize them but not only on the right,” the United legend wisely advised Amad.

The Bulgarian also shared how he views the young star as being a versatile option for Ten Hag, explaining that, “Sometimes he might have to play on the left or as a number ten. Maybe the coach needs you there and you’ll find out something about yourself you didn’t know existed. Maybe you can play in different positions. It’ll be interesting to see how Ten Hag manages the luxury of options that he has.”

Ultimately, Berbatov is of the belief that United have no shortage of talented wingers, laying on the praise for Alejandro Garnacho. “He’s the sort of player that has that boyish enthusiasm and just wants to play and enjoy. Not become tactical. Give him the ball, especially in the last third, and go out and destroy defenders.”

Still, it wasn’t long before he turned his attention back to Amad as well. “Diallo, similar to Garnacho, with the speed, with the movement, with the tricks and shots.”

Much like Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, Amad has emerged as an impressive talent who seems to seamlessly fit into Ten Hag’s team, making an enormous impact.

United will do well to nurture him further as, with the right guidance, he could prove to become a reliable option at right wing, creating the kind of competition that requires all of United’s wingers to remain at the top of their game should they hope to secure a spot in Ten Hag’s starting 11 on a consistent basis.

Play for free to win the new United kit!

We’ll award a new prize every PL matchweek, courtesy of Goat Kits! To play, just (1) Join the brand new weekly PL Challenge league here with our league code puu1tk and enter this week’s competition. (2) Follow The Peoples Person on X and answer the tie breaker question. Full instructions and rules here.

You can also visit Goat Kits at goatkitstore.com and use discount code TPP30 to get 30% off your first purchase!