Erik ten Hag is trying to pick out the positives from Manchester United’s 14th Premier League defeat of the season.
It has been an unhappy campaign for Manchester United, and Sunday’s home defeat to Arsenal felt typical of the team’s season.
United lacked the punch up front to really threaten the Gunners, and despite a spirited display, came up short.
However, compared to the 4-0 loss away at Crystal Palace, this performance almost felt uplifting. One reason for positivity was Amad Diallo.
Erik ten Hag praises Amad
Amad was making just his first Premier League start of the season. It felt long overdue. It is time the Ivorian started turning his potential into production.
He played for 70 minutes for Manchester United against Arsenal and was one of the Red Devils’ better players.
Speaking to club media, Erik ten Hag said: “It’s his first start. He did well. He was very bright, very confident.”
He added that he was pleased with Amad’s all round performance, including the way he helped to defend.
Ten Hag said: “I think Amad deserved it [his start] and there is a still a lot of competition in that position.
“So he was injured for a long time and he has built himself back. He deserved it and across the season with [Alejandro] Garnacho, with Antony, we have options and [Marcus] Rashford has also played there as well.
“But today I thought he deserved it and he played very good, he did what we expected him to do, he was brave, he was creative, defended very good and I was impressed with his performance.”
Place in the FA Cup final up for grabs
Amad suffered a knock in the first half when he was fouled and unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.
He will be looking to start at least one of United’s two remaining league games when we face Newcastle this week and then Brighton at the weekend.
The ultimate goal for Amad this season would be to force his way into the starting line-up at Wembley to face City in theFA Cup final.
Although, the role of super-sub may suit him if the game is as close as the quarter-final against Liverpool, in which he struck a memorable winner.
United might be so lucky. City are in formidable form, while Manchester United have won only one game since then, which did not require a penalty shootout.
