Former Manchester United manager Benni McCarthy has delved into the reasons why Amad Diallo was so often ignored 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 been involved in 13 goals in all competitions, 11 of which have come in his last 11 games since the beginning of November.
He has been a productive part of Rubén Amorim’s starting XI, under the new boss. credit interim predecessor Ruud van Nistelrooy for getting that ball rolling.
Low ten witchesHowever, Amad had started in the Community Shield against Manchester City, but was no longer in the Dutchman’s favor when he lost his place 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 match once he was fit.
As a guest on the popular South African show Podcast and Red ChillMcCarthy has suggested that it was all down to Ten Hag’s preference for other players, particularly Antony.
“Tactically, when we prepared, the coach felt that Anthony He was the best player for the position I wanted because he knew Antony from Ajax. He was their player, so they invested in him and the club supported him,” explained McCarthy, who spent two years in the Ten Hag team.
“So of course he had to support the player he bought, I think that’s why he persisted in playing with Antony. It’s because he knew the capabilities when Antony was at his best. And then there was (Alejandro) Garnacho, who was also playing well , scoring goals. (Marcus)RashfordOn any given day, he could demolish anyone. And (Rasmus) Hojlund, you spend £70 million to bring him in, so he has to play.
“Someone has to (miss out), and unfortunately for Amad, the coach chooses the player who he thinks is probably most capable for those types of games 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 periphery for the benefit of others, several of whom have underperformed, seem even more questionable in retrospect.
