Manchester United faced another setback over the weekend, falling 2-1 to Fulham at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag remains optimistic about the club’s progress, affirming that “the bigger picture looks very good.”
A team’s resilience shines through not just in victories, but especially in moments of adversity.
Throughout this season at United, aside from a few individuals, it has predominantly been the youth players who have demonstrated the resilience to rise to the occasion, as exemplified once again in the recent match, notably by Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho this season
This season, United’s Argentine talent has elevated his game to new heights, emerging as one of Ten Hag’s pivotal players, virtually unstoppable on the pitch.
In 18 appearances this campaign, the 19-year-old has notched five goals and three assists in the league alone. Garnacho’s form has been particularly stellar since Boxing Day, ranking second only to Rasmus Hojlund in goal contributions during this period.
His tenacity, self-assurance, and unwavering determination set him apart, qualities that resonate throughout the team.
In the recent match against Fulham, Garnacho showcased his attacking prowess, attempting 4 dribbles, 3 shots, and completing 3 key passes in his bid to drive the team forward.
Yet, there’s another player in the United squad, albeit with limited playing time of just 19 minutes over the weekend, who possesses the potential to wield a similar influence on the team as Garnacho.
Man Utd’s next star is waiting in the wings
Amad Diallo, a highly-touted prospect, has had limited opportunities to showcase his talent in a Manchester United jersey, featuring in just 11 games and netting his sole goal on debut against AC Milan in the Europa League.
However, his loan spell at Sunderland has garnered attention, where the 21-year-old proved influential under Tony Mowbray’s guidance. Diallo’s stint primarily on the right wing, a previously problematic position for Ten Hag, showcased his versatility before Garnacho’s emergence on the opposite flank.
During his tenure with the Black Cats, Diallo appeared in 37 matches, impressively tallying 13 goals and contributing three assists. However, his significance extends beyond mere goal-scoring, as illustrated in the table below, comparing his stats from last season with those of his positional counterparts.
| Amad Diallo: 2022/23 Season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Metric | Stat (per 90) | Ranking in the Championship |
| Goals | 0.45 | Top 6% |
| Passes completed | 40.51 | Top 4% |
| Passes into final third | 3.90 | Top 4% |
| Shot-creating actions | 4.14 | Top 8% |
| Carries into penalty area | 1.57 | Top 12% |
| Successful take-ons | 2.16 | Top 12% |
| Stats via FBref | ||
Amad epitomizes the essence of a creative winger, capable of conjuring brilliance at any moment. His former teammate Papu Gomez likened him to Messi, citing his unstoppable nature. Despite his slight stature at 5 foot 8, Diallo possesses exceptional technical prowess, enabling him to navigate past defenders with ease.
Moreover, his remarkable vision allows him to execute clever passes into the final third. Given United’s struggles against defensive setups, Ten Hag may turn to Diallo for inspiration in the upcoming FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest. Much like Garnacho, Diallo could prove instrumental in shaping the outcome of the match.