Ruben Amorim faces a critical challenge with Amad Diallo, a player whose strengths lie far from where he’s currently deployed.
A recent draw against Nottingham Forest highlighted the dilemma. Diallo, possessing undeniable attacking flair, is being asked to fill a role – right wing-back – that consistently exposes his defensive vulnerabilities.
The core of the issue is positional conflict. With Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha thriving in the central attacking roles, there’s simply no natural space for Diallo to utilize his most potent skills.
This forces him into a defensive position where he struggles, a situation exacerbated by his willingness to work hard for the team despite it not playing to his strengths. A costly defensive lapse, stemming from a headed duel, underscored this point during the Forest match.
However, when given the freedom to attack, Diallo’s talent shines. His stunning volley against Forest was a testament to his technical brilliance, a reminder of the player he truly is.
The problem isn’t Diallo’s effort, but the misallocation of his abilities. He’s being asked to perform duties that don’t align with his skillset, ultimately diminishing his impact on the game.
The solution, according to observers, lies in bolstering the defense with a player like Leny Yoro, allowing Amorim to shift Diallo higher up the pitch and unleash his offensive potential.
Diallo arrived at United from Atalanta in 2021 for a substantial fee, but it wasn’t until Amorim took the helm that he truly began to flourish, becoming a vital component of the team.
Last season, he exploded onto the scene, contributing an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists in 43 appearances – a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the club.
Despite the recent setback, Diallo remains optimistic. He expressed disappointment with the draw at Forest, acknowledging the team’s ambition and their commitment to Amorim’s system.
“Honestly we are really disappointed to go home with one point,” Diallo stated, emphasizing the team’s desire to learn from the experience and improve.
The team now looks ahead to a challenging match against Tottenham, hoping to rediscover their winning form and build upon the foundations laid by Amorim.
The key to unlocking United’s potential may very well depend on finding the right position for a player brimming with untapped attacking power.
