Erik ten Hag admits Amad Diallo deserves more playing time after winger scores dramatic late winner for Man Utd against Liverpool

Posted Monday, March 18, 2024 by Goal.com

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that match-winner Amad Diallo deserves more playing time than he has had this season.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The Ivory Coast international came off the bench to score a late extra-time winner for United as they beat Liverpool 4-3 in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday. It was just his fourth appearance in all competitions this season as the Red Devils manager rued the injury issues that have deprived him of a place in the team.

WHAT TEN HAG SAID
He told reporters: "I'm so happy for him. He is one of the players with a huge setback this season, a bad injury, returning from it, but returning to a team where there is a lot of competition for his position. He does not always get the time to play he deserves by his training performances but then he is coming on, then he shows his contribution, scoring a goal. But we know he can do it, we know he has the key moments where he can decide a game. I am very pleased he got the winner. But we had another sub, Antony, who scores an equaliser, he is also in a problematic situation but you see he is fighting as well, he wants to contribute as well. I'm very happy with the bench today."

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Amad missed the first few months of the 2023-24 campaign due to a knee injury and did not make his first senior appearance until the end of December. He then had to wait until late-February for his next appearances, coming off the bench in games against Fulham and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and FA Cup, respectively.

WHAT NEXT FOR AMAD?
The winger, who was sent off in for taking his shirt off as he celebrated his late goal, will hope to be rewarded with more minutes on the field as United continue their fight to finish in a Champions League spot this season.