How Diallo can be the key to unlocking Man Utd’s attacking intent after leaving Guardiola scratching his head again
AMAD DIALLO was the star of the show in the Manchester derby as he became the match-winner to cap off a sterling show.
The winger threatened for Manchester United throughout and could help finally unlock the Red Devils’ potential.
Amad’s impressive performances since the arrival of manager Ruben Amorim could make him key to Man United’s future.
Should he continue on his current form that he showed against Manchester City, then he could be one of the next Premier League stars.
Here, our tactical expert Dean Scoggins — from SunSport YouTube show Tactics Exposed — dissects how Amad can continue to improve and what United did to leave Pep Guardiola scratching his head again.
1. Diallo the dynamo
AMAD has shown his utility skill set under Amorim, having already played as a right-wing-back and as the right-forward.
Against Manchester City, he was in the forward position, but he also managed to excel on the defensive side of the game.
The attacker scored the winner and won the penalty for the equaliser with his quick thinking.
He was the biggest threat as he took four shots, which was the most of any Man United player in the game.
Amad also won the ball back five times, which was the second-best out of all his team-mates.
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The players are learning to play a new system under Amorim and were able to control possession against Manchester City.
The way they played out from the back saw the game compress, which created the danger behind the current champions.
And it is in this space that Amad was able to exploit at the Etihad Stadium.
2. Double teaming Haaland
THE Norwegian goal machine went into the derby match with six goals against Manchester United.
However, he looked a shadow of his former self against the Red Devils due to the way the defenders marshalled him.
Erling Haaland was limited to just two touches in the Man United box in the entire game as the defenders kept him at arm’s length.
The defence of Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez communicated brilliantly.
Maguire was the main man to deal with him, but depending on which side the other defender would join in to double up on him.
Man United and Amorim deserve credit for turning the defence into a solid unit.
3. Pep’s head scratches
PEP GUARDIOLA has done some wild things in the past, but Matheus Nunes, as a fullback, is up there as one of the most strange.
The former Wolves star was at fault in the build-up to Manchester United’s equaliser.
He gave the ball away and, in his attempt to win it back, fouled Amad, which led to Fernandes netting from the penalty spot.
Nunes appeared to get lost as he was on the wrong side of what he had been on during the majority of the match.
It was a horrifically bad decision to play him there in the first place.
4. Rodri puzzle can’t be solved
THE injury to Rodri has had a more catastrophic effect on Manchester City than anyone could have ever thought.
The midfielder won the Ballon d’Or for his brilliant performances from defensive midfield.
Since the Spaniard has been out of the team, his importance has never been more evident.
Rodri is a player who makes everything tick in the team, and without him, Man City would be missing everything.
There is a lack of control, the ability to break up opposition play, tactical fouls and the general of when and when not to press.
The usage of Josko Gvardiol moving into the midfield or Jeremy Doku drifting inside to add physicality both failed against Man United.
Mateo Kovacic came on and did improve control on the ball but there was still the absence of control without the ball.
The club will have look to the transfer market in January to find someone who can fill that void.