Man Utd fans tell Erik ten Hag ‘start him every game’ after watching video of fringe star in pre-season training
MANCHESTER UNITED fans have urged Erik ten Hag to start Amad Diallo next season after seeing a video of him training in pre-season.
Amad, 21, was largely on the fringes of the Red Devils squad last term.
But after returning from injury, Amad eventually found his way back into the Man Utd squad before starting each of the last three Premier League games of the campaign.
The Ivory Coast star is now aiming to cement his spot at right-wing next season after being spotted getting his pre-season training underway.
Man Utd shared a video, originally posted on the winger’s Instagram page, to their own social media channels.
The clips showed Amad picking up the ball, dribbling towards a defender and skipping past them before subsequently burying a shot into the back of the net, with two of the three shots being outside of the boot efforts.
The Old Trafford faithful were delighted with the 15-second video, and made their views known on his prospects for next season.
One fan said: “This is our season Amad.”
A second said: “This should be our best season.”
Others told manager Ten Hag to pick him more often, with one saying: “We want to see him doing this in matches next season. And he should be getting more playing time too.”
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Another said: Very talented player and should be a starter next season.”
A third added: “Erik better start him every game…”
Amad joined the club from Atalanta in 2021 on a deal that could rise to £37million.
He has made 21 appearances and scored three goals since then while also having a strong loan at Sunderland.
His prospects of making a stronger impression on the first-team next season have been boosted by former transfer target Michael Olise looking set to sign for Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace.
Furthermore, new club bosses Ineos are not prioritising their transfer search for a new winger, and are instead looking at players for the spine of the team.
Bayern Munich‘s Matthijs de Ligt is one star the club have been linked to, with the Germans reportedly setting a £42m asking price with personal terms no issue, though Paris Saint-Germain have now entered the race for the Dutchman.
Man Utd transfer chiefs, bolstered by the new arrival of Dan Ashworth and the reported addition of Christopher Vivell, have been holding talks with Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
PSG star Manuel Ugarte is on their shortlist as a new centre-midfield recruit.
The club have also signed Tom Heaton to a one-year contract extension, while they are reported to be holding similar talks with Jonny Evans.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s backroom staff are also being strengthened, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake set to join the club.
Man Utd’s pre-season will kick off on July 15 against Rosenborg in Norway, before a clash with Rangers in Scotland five days later.
Blockbuster clashes with Arsenal and Liverpool sandwich a game with Real Betis on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA.
Man Utd pre-season tour schedule
Man Utd 2024 pre-season fixtures & results
Rosenborg vs Man Utd – Mon, Jul 15. Lerkendol Stadion, Norway
Rangers vs Man Utd – Sat, Jul 20. Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Arsenal vs Man Utd – Sat, Jul 27. SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Man Utd vs Real Betis – Wed, Jul 31. Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Man Utd vs Liverpool – Sat, Aug 3. William-Brice Stadium, South Carolina
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