Former Manchester United manager Benni McCarthy has delved into why Amad Diallo was so often overlooked by former manager Erik ten Hag.
Amad has been the bright spark in an otherwise dismal season for the club. The 22-year-old Ivorian has 13 goals in all competitions, 11 of which have come in just his last 11 appearances since the start of November.
He has been a productive part of Ruben Amorim’s starting eleven, with the new boss crediting interim predecessor Ruud van Nistelrooy for getting that ball rolling.
under Ten Haghowever, Amad had started the Community Shield against Manchester City but was underdogs when the Dutchman lost his job at the end of October. Last season, Amad was injured during the first half of the campaign but then had to wait four months to start a game once fit.
As a guest of the popular of South Africa Podcast and Chill NetworkMcCarthy has suggested that it came down to Ten Hag’s preference for other players, especially Antony.
“Tactically, when we set up, the manager heard it Anthony he was the best and best player for the job he wanted because he knew Antony from Ajax. He was his player so he invested in him and the club supported him,” explained McCarthy, who spent two years in the Ten Hag side.
“Then of course he had to support the player he bought, I think that’s why he persisted in playing Antony. It’s because he knew the capabilities when Antony was at his best. And then you had (Alejandro) Garnacho was also playing well, scoring goals. (Marcus) Rashfordon any given day, he could topple anyone. And (Rasmus) Hojlund, you spend £70m on him, so he has to play.
“Someone has to miss out, and unfortunately for Amad, the manager is going with the player he thinks is probably most capable for this type of game tactically, defensively and offensively.”
Unfortunately for Ten Hag’s reign, Amad’s rapid rise to prominence has made the decision to keep him on the fringes for the benefit of others, some of whom have underperformed, seem even more questionable with hindsight.
