Ruben Amorim praises Man Utd predecessor for Amad Diallo form
- Amad registered two assists in Manchester United's win over Everton
- Head coach Amorim pleased with converted wing-back's form
- Boss was happy to credit Ruud van Nistelrooy for getting the ball rolling
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has expressed his gratitude for the work that interim predecessor Ruud van Nistelrooy did with Amad Diallo - who has so far been one of the stars of his new-look team.
Amorim has brought a new 3-4-3 formation to United since his appointment last month and oversaw his first Premier League win on Sunday – a thumping 4-0 demolition of Everton.
The call for wing-backs has seen Amad earn a deserved starting place, despite previously being known as a forward. Against Everton, he came away with two assists, as well as indirectly creating another with high pressing, and was statistically the best player on the pitch.
The 22-year-old Ivorian, who is now starting to fulfil the potential that United scouts saw prior to a £37m transfer from Atalanta in 2020, has scored or assisted six times across his last four starts.
"He was really good again," Amorim reflected after full-time on Sunday, keen to give credit for the player's recent burst of form to Van Nistelrooy.
"He's in a great moment, but that moment started with Ruud. I've just taken advantage of Ruud's work with Amad. He was really good defensively, and really good attacking, so he has to continue to play like that.
"You could feel at the end of the game, he was really tired, so we also have to manage that, to increase his physical ability."
Amad had started the season in the United lineup under Erik ten Hag, particularly impressing in the Community Shield against Manchester City, but had fallen to the periphery by the time the Dutchman was dismissed at the start of November. He also struggled for chances during the previous campaign, even long after recovering from a pre-season injury.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Amad his United debut in February 2021. But after starting two Premier League games in May of that year, the player didn't start another in the competition for three years until May 2024, during which time he also had spells on loan at Rangers and Championship side Sunderland.
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