Amad Diallo has been patient since returning from injury in December, making just six substitute appearances. However, his bright performances have shown glimpses of his capabilities. He is quick, direct, and capable of scoring goals. A front-three of Amad, Hojlund, and Garnacho would offer a freshness on a night United need to put on a show. Against the division’s bottom club, the stage may never be better for Amad to make his mark.
Despite struggling to impose himself off the bench in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, Amad offered flashes of encouragement against Coventry. He completed 95 percent of his attempted passes, produced three key passes, and successfully completed one dribble. An argument could be made to suggest Amad has found his level, having spent last season playing in the Championship, where he scored 14 goals and registered four assists.
However, when you review Antony’s in-game statistics from Sunday’s encounter underneath the infamous arch, there was no comparison between the two. Antony completed fewer of his passes, amounting to 89 percent, failed to produce a single key pass, and failed to complete the only dribble he attempted. On that evidence, he had no right to cup his ears.
Though his impact was incomparable to the one he had against Liverpool in the previous round, the time has come for Erik ten Hag to give Amad a chance from the off and hand him his first United start since December 2021 when Sheffield United visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Marcus Rashford is a doubt, meaning Antony and Amad are in direct competition to join Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho in attack. Garnacho is expected to be fit and he has been the brightest of United’s wingers this season and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet. Hojlund has struggled for goals of late, but is United’s only available centre-forward.
Based on the lackluster nature of Antony’s performance at Wembley, it would be another mark against Ten Hag if he selected the Brazilian from the off. Amad has played an incredibly patient game since returning from injury in December, earning just six substitute appearances. In several he has been bright and offered glimpses of his capabilities.
