The Amad Diallo Gamble: Manchester United’s Risky Reward | OneFootball

Amad Diallo is an attack-minded player, not a defender. Yet, in Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United system, he’s tasked with playing right wing-back. His role illustrates the team’s new high-stakes philosophy. 

As the manager himself described it after a chaotic 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this weekend, it’s a “gamble.” But is it one worth taking?

The Risk

Amad’s natural home is as a No.10 or right-sided forward. He featured in that position on 32 occasions for United last term. But the summer arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Šeško have pushed him into a wing-back role that includes defensive duties he is unaccustomed to.

Opponents are already exploiting the weakness. Sean Dyche’s Forest systematically targeted Amad, isolating him against winger Callum Hudson-Odoi to nullify his attacking threat and keep him penned in at the fullback position. 

Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi seeks to keep Amad busy with his defensive duties. Image: BBC Sport – Match of the Day

The tactic paid off when Morgan Gibbs-White rose above him at the far post to head in Forest’s equaliser to make it 1-1. The goal exposed a clear defensive frailty. At just 5’6″, Amad will never dominate aerial duels.

It is a vulnerability that requires cover from his teammates. Against Forest, United’s three centre-backs should have shuffled along to allow Leny Yoro to compete with Gibbs-White. They can’t expect Amad to suddenly grow taller as a cross sails through the air.

The Reward

Despite his defensive shortcomings, Amad’s offensive contributions are undeniable. His burgeoning partnership with right-sided No.10 Bryan Mbeumo is already one of United’s most potent weapons. It was Amad who assisted Mbeumo’s opener in the 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield last month.

The pair were at it again against Forest as they combined to produce United’s first shot on target. Ivory Coast international Amad stinging the hands of goalkeeper Matz Sels with a curling shot from outside the area.

And if anyone needed a reminder of his primary threat, his spectacular volley from the edge of the area to secure the draw against Forest was it. He nearly won the match in the dying seconds, but another blistering shot was cleared off the line by Murillo.

He doesn’t shirk his defensive duties either. Although he needs more experience and more assistance from his team-mates, he will improve. But Amad is primarily in the team to create and score.

The Verdict

The Amad experiment helps define United’s thrilling, if chaotic, start to the season. The 33 goals in their first 10 Premier League games (17 scored, 16 conceded) point to a team that has traded defensive solidity for attacking firepower.

While a single clean sheet is a concern, this attacking mindset has sparked the club’s best form under Amorim – an unbeaten run of four games yielding three wins and a draw.

After the turgid football of last season, it’s a refreshing change. In this new-look United, the Amad Diallo gamble isn’t just worth taking – it feels necessary.