Manchester Utd might have a New game – charger
Changes in the attack could lead to an overdue role for the rarely used Amad three years on from his arrival at Man United.
Amad was an unused substitute at Newport
Amad was an unused substitute at Newport
Amad was the last Manchester United player to leave the pitch at the end of their warm-up on Sunday. He ended it by scooping the ball over kit man Alec Wylie.
Rather than let the time-served kit man fetch the ball, Amad politely jogged to retrieve it himself. It is not the only endearing trait of a player United supporters would like to see more of.
The glimpse of Amad at Nottingham Forest last month was one of the few positives for United in defeat. Amad was unwell for the next two games against Wigan Athletic and Tottenham.
That he did not even cameo at Rodney Parade was a disappointment. Antony was an undeserving starter though he at least contributed a first assist since May and a first goal since April. Some would argue he has found his level against a League Two team.
Amad’s level is still unclear. He is fondly remembered by Sunderland fans after his season-long loan on Wearside but his probing performance at the City Ground was his first in United colours for more than two years.
On Thursday, Amad returns to Molineux, the scene of his last Premier League start in May 2021. It is one of only two times Amad has walked out and onto the pitch to hear the Premier League anthem and the first was the week before against Leicester City.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer selected heavily-rotated teams in both games as United prioritised the Europa League final. Amad has not started a meaningful game for United as the third and last was a Champions League group stage dead-rubber against Young Boys in December 2021.
A fourth start at Wolves is unforeseeable. In his 94th match as United manager, Erik ten Hag could play his strongest side. Ten of the starters seem certain and the only uncertainty is over Marcus Rashford.
If Rashford is dropped, then Antony will continue. Amad is at least assured of matchday involvement with United’s attack so light.
It could be lighter if Facundo Pellistri finalises a protracted loan move to Granada before Thursday night’s transfer deadline. That would rule the Uruguayan out of being involved against Wolves.
Amad started at Molineux in May 2021
Amad started at Molineux in May 2021
Amad officially arrived at United three years ago and in his first game for the Under-23s, he scored twice against Liverpool at their Kirkby training ground. Six days later, he tallied another goal and three assists against Blackburn at Leigh Sports Village.
“The goals are coming from the left f—–g side,” bemoaned Blackburn goalkeeper Jordan Eastham. That was Amad’s side.
Three years on, Amad only has 10 senior United appearances to his name. Bar a headed goal against AC Milan that was reminiscent of Javier Hernandez at Stoke, his cameos have been largely forgettable. The majority of his 368 minutes of playing time were without a crowd present amid lockdown.
Amad was in crowdpleasing form against Forest and people at the club feel he has an important role to play in the run-in. United are thin up front and before Alejandro Garnacho tapped in against Aston Villa on Boxing Day their last forward to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League was Jadon Sancho.
Amad signs a young fan’s shirt at Newport
Amad signs a young fan’s shirt at Newport
Garnacho and Amad were teenagers when they signed for United only weeks apart in 2020 while Rasmus Hojlund is six months into his United career. Antony and Rashford, the senior forwards, have had issues off the pitch as well as on it. They have contributed five goals between them this season.
The constructive disruption planned by Ineos, as well as the form of the relevant wingers, mean Garnacho is the only one completely certain of remaining at United next season. Sir Dave Brailsford has been in attendance for United’s past five matches and was at Carrington again last week as he continues his audit.
Amad will have been on United’s books for four years come the summer and so will Pellistri. At least one has to leave permanently and Pellistri, having already experienced two loan spells with Alaves, is warming up for sunnier climes if he secures a protracted return to La Liga.
Pellistri marked some of his cameos with profound contributions, most memorably for Bruno Fernandes’s late winner at Fulham in November. That game-changing role now has to be assumed by Amad.
It beats fetching balls.
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