Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has thrown his full support behind Amad Diallo during this difficult run of form.
Carrick was quizzed in the pre-match press conference about Diallo ahead of the Premier League showdown with Liverpool.
He said: “I actually think he’s playing well, Amad. I think numbers in terms of goals and assists, I think there’s an awful lot more in the game.
“Playing in a winning team like he has, to worry about numbers, I think he gives the team so much. He’s got so much talent, he’s got so much ability, but his work ethic and his attitude is fantastic as well.
“He’s played different roles at times. I’m a big fan of Amad, I think he was unlucky and unfortunate that we had to change things tactically the other night [against Brentford], and it was purely on that why he came off. I think he’s given the team an awful lot.”
Lack of output hurting Amad Diallo
Diallo has played 28 games this season, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
That return is a stark drop from last season, when he registered eight goals and six assists in the Premier League.
Under former head coach Ruben Amorim, he was deployed as a right wing-back, but Carrick has reverted him to a more traditional attacking role.
The 23-year-old has played in all 13 matches under Carrick but is yet to score or register a single assist.
Having joined United six years ago, the pressure is now mounting on Diallo to justify his place in the squad.
While his dribbling ability remains eye-catching, he must become far more clinical in the final third.
His defensive contributions have been commendable, but operating higher up the pitch now demands greater attacking output.
With just four games remaining, Diallo has a narrow window to reignite his form and meet the expectations of fans who once adored him following his standout loan spell at Sunderland.
United are unlikely to offload him this summer, but without a significant upturn in output, he risks starting next season as a squad player rather than a guaranteed starter.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
