The reason why flying wing-back Amad Diallo was ignored by former Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag, according to ex-coach
MANCHESTER UNITED ace Amad Diallo was snubbed by former manager Erik ten Hag because he favoured players he’d signed.
That is according to former United first team coach Benni McCarthy, who worked under Ten Hag for two years before his departure last summer.
McCarthy, 47, watched Amad‘s development at Old Trafford but also saw him being omitted and getting offloaded on loan to Rangers and Sunderland.
The South African coach claims it was because Ten Hag preferred the likes of Antony and Rasmus Hojlund as he pushed club chiefs hard to splash the cash for them and knew the former very well from Ajax.
The former West Ham and Blackburn star added that the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were also ahead of the Ivory Coast international on the pecking order.
McCarthy told Podcast and Chill Network: “Tactically, when we set up, the manager felt that Antony was the best, better player for the job that he wanted because he knew Antony from Ajax.
“He was his player, so he invested in him, and the club supported him.
“So, of course, he had to support the player that he bought, I think that’s why he persisted in playing Antony.
“It’s because he knew the capabilities when Antony was at his best.
“And then you had Garnacho who was also playing well, scoring goals. Rashford, on any given day, could demolish anyone.
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“And then you’ve got Hojlund, you spend £70million on bringing him in, so he has to play.
“So someone’s got to [miss out], and unfortunately for Amad, the manager goes with the player he thinks is probably more capable for those type of games tactically, defensively and attacking.”
Once Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag in the Man Utd dugout last month, Amad was immediately established as a key player.
The versatile winger has played in all of Amorim‘s nine matches in charge, mainly as a right wing-back in his manager’s favoured 3-4-3 formation.
And the 22-year-old ace has amassed a total of one goal and four assists in all of his six Premier League matches under the Portuguese tactician.
The ex-Atalanta ace repaid Amorim’s faith by leading the Red Devils to a stunning comeback victory against Manchester City at the Etihad two weeks ago.
Amad won the penalty that led to Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser before scoring the winner himself to make it 2-1 for the visitors.