Fans of Manchester United are buzzing with chatter following their recent Europa League match against Fenerbahce, particularly around the club's Ivorian winger Amad Diallo, who found himself sidelined once again. The thrilling yet disappointing game on October 24 ended with the teams tied at 1-1, leaving United with yet another draw to face the consequences of their continued lack of winning form.
Erik ten Hag’s side desperately needed three points; their record had become increasingly troubling, having only secured one victory out of their last eleven European outings. The match did see some action with Christian Eriksen giving the Reds the lead just 15 minutes in, but this advantage was short-lived. After the halftime break, Youssef En-Nesyri equalized for Fenerbahce, and with both teams unable to find the winning goal, United settled for shared spoils.
For Amad, his bench designation was another hit to his aspirations of becoming more integral to the first team. Despite showing glimpses of his talent during pre-season and throughout the early season, the young player has been left frustrated as Ten Hag repeatedly opts for experienced players like Antony instead. During the game against Fenerbahce, after choosing to sub on Antony for Marcus Rashford, Ten Hag’s gamble failed spectacularly. Just minutes after Antony’s entrance, he went down with what appeared to be a calf injury, leaving Amad to finally enter the match late on.
On social media, Amad expressed his gratitude to the fans, writing, "Fans, thank you for your support," accompanied by various emojis to convey his appreciation. His social media post charmed many supporters who have been rallying behind him for more chances on the pitch. The Ivorian seems set on making his impact felt when the opportunity arises.
Many United fans took to the platforms to voice their frustrations at Ten Hag’s decision to prioritize Antony over Diallo. Comments flooded social media, with many supporters bewildered by the manager’s choices. One fan tweeted, "Putting Antony on before Amad was criminal," reflecting the sentiment of several others who criticized this tactical move. The consensus online suggests frustration not just over the decision-making process but also the performance standards associated with certain players.
Ten Hag defended his choice post-match, stating Antont had been performing well during training, indicating he needed to reward Antony for his efforts. "Amad, he is doing well, but I must also reward the performances of Antony in training. He is a threat almost every training session, so I felt at the moment the right thing to do was to bring him on to decide the game," explained Ten Hag. But many are now questioning if this reward was justified, especially after Antony's poor performance and subsequent injury saw him off the field within minutes.
Despite the setback, the demand for Amad to receive more playing time continues to build within the fanbase, and many supporters believe he deserves the opportunities to prove himself. His previous performances—including flashes of brilliance noted during his limited time on the pitch—indicate he could be key to breaking the string of draws if only granted consistent chances.
The stakes are higher than they’ve been for Manchester United, currently lying as low as 12th in the Premier League table and now facing five pivotal matches before the upcoming international break. The pressure is on Ten Hag to formulate winning strategies and muster morale among the players.
For Amad, the message is clear: there’s determination etched through his social media, and fans are eager to see how he gets on against West Ham this coming Sunday. With Fernandes returning from suspension, and injuries disrupting formations, United will need all hands on deck if they're to find success and potentially lift spirits among the disappointed fans.
