Amad Diallo gave Michael Carrick plenty to think about after producing one of Manchester United’s brightest attacking displays in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 24-year-old started on the right against the European champions in Gothenburg and played for 60 minutes before making way as Carrick rotated his side.
His most important contribution came in the build-up to Bryan Mbeumo’s equaliser.
Amad pressed aggressively high up the pitch, helped force PSG into surrendering possession and quickly found Mbeumo. The United forward then drove a low finish beyond Matvey Safonov to make it 1-1.
ReadManUtd showed Mbeumo’s equaliser earlier on Saturday, but Amad’s role in creating the opportunity deserves just as much attention.
Amad Diallo gives Michael Carrick a selection problem
Carrick has plenty of attacking options to fit into his Manchester United side before the Premier League season begins.
Amad made a convincing argument for his own place against one of the strongest teams United will face during pre-season.
His pressing was particularly effective. PSG were given little time to settle whenever the ball reached Amad’s side, while his willingness to attack quickly helped United look dangerous after a difficult opening.
The official Manchester United match centre confirms Carrick started Amad alongside Shea Lacey and Patrick Dorgu behind Mbeumo before making five changes on the hour.
There is serious competition coming.
Matheus Cunha missed the PSG game through illness, while Benjamin Sesko is also working towards full fitness. Mbeumo has strengthened his own claim for a central role after scoring in consecutive pre-season matches.
Amad cannot control how Carrick accommodates all of those players.
He can make himself difficult to leave out.
Saturday was another step in that direction. Against the reigning European champions, Amad’s intensity directly helped United score and gave Carrick another reminder of the threat he carries from the right.
The challenge now is turning flashes like this into consistent end product once competitive football begins.
