Amad Diallo Reflects on Frustration and Redemption Under New Manager

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has opened up about his frustrations during Erik ten Hag‘s management, revealing that feelings of discontent peaked during an October Europa League match.

Diallo, originally signed from Atalanta in January 2021 by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, had a challenging time securing a regular starting position. After making eight appearances his debut season, he spent subsequent terms on loan, first at Rangers and then at Sunderland, where he was named the PFA Championship fans’ player of the year.

Under Ten Hag, who took over in the summer of 2022, Diallo made 12 appearances, but found himself increasingly sidelined. His frustration was evident during a match against Fenerbahce, where he was unhappy to see teammate Antony substituted in the 73rd minute ahead of him. Diallo only entered the match late, in the 89th minute, following an injury to Antony.

“I need the game time to show I can play for this club,” Diallo said. “In that moment I was a little bit frustrated because you understand that sometimes maybe you deserve to play and you don’t play.”

Since Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag in November, Diallo has become a crucial player for United. “It’s because the manager believes in me,” he noted. “He believes in my potential. I’m trying to repay his confidence every time I’m on the pitch.”

In February, Diallo suffered an ankle injury in training, which Amorim suggested would keep him out for the rest of the season. Miraculously, he returned just in time to contribute as an 84th-minute substitute during the 3-0 victory against Juventus in the Europa League semi-final on May 1. He is expected to start against Tottenham in the final on Wednesday at San Mamés Stadium.

“I did nothing special [to return earlier than expected],” Diallo said humbly. “I just tried every morning to do my best with the physios.”

Diallo has played in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, either as a right wing-back or as a No. 10. “I have no preference,” he stated. “I just want to follow the manager and his system.” He added that playing as a right wing-back requires both defensive tracking and offensive engagement.

Diallo reflected on his past failures in finals, including being an unused substitute when United lost the 2021 Europa League final to Villarreal and when Rangers fell to Eintracht Frankfurt the next season. “I hope to win this one. I keep praying for that. It will be really good for me but also for the team because we want to achieve something at the end of the season,” he said.