Amad Diallo has shared his feelings about the frustration he experienced under Erik ten Hag during the Europa League tie at Fenerbahce in October. Diallo was brought to Manchester United from Atalanta in January 2021 by Ole Gunnar Solskjær. After making eight appearances that season, he was loaned to Rangers in January 2022, and then spent the entire 2022-23 season at Sunderland, where he was named the PFA Championship fans’ player of the year.
Ten Hag, who took over as manager in the summer of 2022, gave Diallo 12 outings last season, with the Ivorian netting a dramatic 120th-minute winner in the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool. However, at the beginning of this season, Diallo found it challenging to secure a regular starting position. At Fenerbahce, he was visibly upset when Ten Hag subbed in Antony in the 73rd minute instead of him. Diallo eventually entered the match in the 89th minute after Antony got injured.
“I need playing time to demonstrate my ability to play for this club,” Diallo remarked about his determination to prove himself. “In that instance, I felt a bit frustrated because sometimes you feel you deserve to play and you don’t get the chance.”
Since Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag in November, Diallo has become a preferred choice and one of United’s standout players. “It’s because the coach has faith in me,” Diallo explained. “He trusts in my potential. I’m striving to repay that faith whenever I’m on the field. I’ve shown everyone I belong at this club.”
In February, Diallo suffered an ankle injury during training, which Amorim indicated would sideline the 22-year-old for the season. Yet, he made a comeback as an 84th-minute substitute in the 3-0 Europa League semi-final first leg victory at Athletic Bilbao on May 1 and is anticipated to start the final against Tottenham on Wednesday at the San Mamés Stadium. “I didn’t do anything extraordinary [to return sooner than expected],” Diallo mentioned.
“I just gave my best every morning with the physiotherapists.” Diallo plays in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation as either a right wing-back or a No 10. “I have no specific preference,” he noted. “I just aim to adhere to the manager’s system. The difference at right wing-back is you must track back defensively and also push forward in attack. No 10 is more offensive.”
Diallo was an unused substitute in both the 2021 Europa League final, which United lost to Villarreal on penalties, and the following season’s final, where Rangers were defeated by Eintracht Frankfurt in a similar manner. He expressed, “I hope to win this one. I keep praying for that. It would be fantastic for me and also for the team, as we aim to achieve something by the end of the season.”
