MANCHESTER UNITED fans are fearful that Amad Diallo might walk away from Old Trafford for good.
The tricky winger was spotted looking rather bleak on the touchline before being subbed on in the 89th minute for Antony, who left Fenerbahce’s stadium in a boot.
The optics before Amad’s brief cameo have left United fans stressing after Erik ten Hag was held to a 1-1 draw in Istanbul.
In fact, it looked as though assistant coaches Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, and Andreas Georgson all tried to cheer a glum Amad on.
But the Ivory Coast international, who had his head down before coming on, looked as though he wasn’t having any of it.
Ten Hag threw on Antony for Marcus Rashford first before eventually turning to Amad after the Brazilian picked up an injury inside 87 minutes.
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The Dutchman had raised eyebrows before the game when he announced that fullback Noussair Mazraoui would play in the No10 role for the suspended Bruno Fernandes.
Before kick off one fan wrote: “If the rumours are true and Ten Hag is playing Mazraoui as a 10 instead of Amad, I’m actually going to lose it.”
But Amad made a quick impact, bringing down Mazraoui’s cross-field pass brilliantly to soar past Mert Muldur within seconds of coming on.
According to The Athletic, that single attacking action left Fenerbahce staff stunned as to why Amad wasn’t introduced earlier in the match.
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Ten Hag said: “Away from Europe to start with four attackers is too much. I made Mazraoui a full-back.
“He was always a number 10. I knew he could fill in with that role, he had a big role in the goal.
“You can always move him back. Antony is training very good. Amad had some good actions.”
Ten Hag added: “Amad, he is doing well. But I must also reward the performances of Antony in training.
“He is a threat almost every training session, so I felt in that moment the right thing to do was bring him on to decide the game.”
But United fans were left confused and reeling after the manager’s explanation – with many fearing Amad will seek opportunities elsewhere.
One wrote: “He will leave. And he’s not wrong for that.”
A second said: “Can United really expect Amad to stay when Ten Hag is so hot and cold with him?”
A third replied: “I can’t understand why he’s been dropped???”
While a more direct fan wrote: “Amad is suffering what Sancho suffered in the hand of Ten Hag, because of Antony.”
Amad took to X and sent out a heartfelt message after his mere five minutes against Fenerbahce.
The 22-year-old wrote: “Fans. Thanks for the support”, adding a series of different emojis to his tweet.
He previously was shipped out on loan to Rangers and Sunderland and was limited to nine Prem appearances last season.
Amad was Man Utd’s Player of the Month for August, but he’s made just one start, against Crystal Palace, in the last five games .
He was left as an unused substitute for United’s last two Premier League matches against Brentford and Aston Villa.
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Fenerbahce marked Amad’s first minutes since United’s 3-3 draw with Porto earlier in the month.
The winger has been unable to re-establish himself in the XI after starting United’s first two games of the season and scoring in a 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker
MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.
Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.
But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.
SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…
Andre Onana – 7
Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.
His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.
Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.
Victor Lindelof – 4
Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.
Hauled off in the 54th minute.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.
Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.
Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.
Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.
Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.
Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
