Erik ten Hag has praised the potential impact that Amad Diallo could bring to Manchester United’s struggling attack after making a successful recovery from injury.
Amad returned to Manchester United during the summer after an impressive loan stint with Sunderland in the Championship, where he scored 14 goals from a wide position. Great expectations surrounded the 21-year-old ahead of the 2023/24 season.
However, a serious injury kept Amad sidelined for the first half of the campaign, and he made his much-anticipated comeback as a substitute on December 30 in Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
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During Amad’s absence, Manchester United faced significant challenges in the attacking third, scoring fewer goals than even newly-promoted Luton Town in the Premier League so far this season.
Speaking to the club’s official website, manager Ten Hag suggested that Amad’s return to fitness could inject some much-needed dynamism into the team’s attacking lineup:
“Yeah, he is very ball secure. He can bring key actions, final passes, score a goal. And so I think he has some weapons. That is always what you are looking for with offensive players.”
In addition to Amad, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, who have been long-term absentees, are nearing full fitness and were seen in training this week.
Commenting on their return, Ten Hag stated: “Two class players, and they will bring the team forward. We know that and now we’re looking forward to their return in the team on matchdays.
“But we have to wait for that. They still need some time to fully make their comeback, but yeah, it is a good signal that they are back on the grass with the team, in the team training. Now, we have to make the next step [to get them] fully in the team training, and then they can work with us.”
While Casemiro and Martinez are not expected to feature in Monday’s FA Cup clash with Wigan Athletic, Amad could be in line for his first start of the season.