Man United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his reluctance to recall Amad from his loan spell at Sunderland.
(Image: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Man Utd are doing well and getting better with every passing game under Erik ten Hag but the club must now ensure that continues.
The biggest improvement Ten Hag has implemented so far is at the back. Thanks in large part to the signing of a world-class holding midfielder in Casemiro and the form of Raphael Varane, United have become much more difficult to break down.
United haven’t conceded from open play in the Premier League in the last five games in which Varane has started and they are yet to concede at all since club football restarted after the World Cup. Instead, Ten Hag has a problem going the other way.
Apart from the revived Marcus Rashford, United’s forwards have been goal-shy this season and the tally of 24 is the second lowest in the top ten behind only Chelsea. Newcastle, Fulham, Brighton Brentford and Leicester have all scored more.
Which is what makes January such an important month. With Cristiano Ronaldo departing to see out his career in style in a footballing backwater, Ten Hag has been left with only Rashford and Martial as central attacking options. With Jadon Sancho still unavailable, United’s numbers elsewhere in attack are low too with only Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga at the manager’s disposal.
Reinforcements are clearly needed to ensure United capitalise on their good start and secure a Champions League place but they will be difficult to find in January. One potential option that wouldn’t cost a penny would be Amad Diallo.
After a long wait, the young forward is finally beginning to realise his potential this season on loan at Sunderland. Amad struggled in the baptism of fire that is Glasgow last season as he underwhelmed at Rangers but has made himself a star of an exciting Black Cats team.
The 20-year-old has scored six times in his last 11 starts and appears to be growing into the player United outlaid a potential £37million to sign from Atalanta in 2019. The club does hold the option to recall him from the Stadium of Light in January, however, it doesn’t look likely.
“We consider everything but I have a little bit of reservation about [recalling Amad] because I don’t want to stop the process,” Ten Hag said. “He has made really good progress there so I’m happy with that.
“But young players need experiences and when we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting XI or minimum to come on for a lot of games and make an impact.”
It’s an understandable view given Amad would be down the pecking order and it would be a shame to disrupt his budding momentum, especially when United need more experience. But it might be disappointing for Elanga to hear.
The Swede hasn’t scored for the club since February and hasn’t looked close to doing so in some time. His rare appearances have largely resulted with little impact and he’s started just six times in all competition as a result, with Garnacho overtaking him.
Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of speculation surrounding his future this month. MEN Sport understands that several clubs are interested in taking Elanga on loan for the rest of the season with Everton chief among them.
A move away could be of massive benefit but it seems unlikely – and Ten Hag confirmed as much in his comments after the Wolves game. United are so low on options as it is they can’t possibly allow another to leave before they make at least one new signing and maybe not even then. The fact that Ten Hag seems set on not bringing Amad, who could replace Elanga in the squad, back doesn’t bode well for him either.
It’s easy to forget but Elanga is still only 20 so there is still plenty of time for him to get back firing again but it’s going to be difficult to do this season as his playing time looks likely to remain at a minimum.
source: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/
