Why Ruben Amorim should actually be worried after Amad Diallo's display for Ivory Coast

Amad Diallo delivered a masterclass performance for Ivory Coast in their 3-0 victory against Kenya on Tuesday night, helping them seal their spot at next summer’s World Cup.

Manchester United forward Amad provided the assist for Franck Kessie’s breakthrough goal after just seven minutes and continued to dazzle on the right wing.

Yan Diomande then doubled Ivory Coast’s lead before Amad wrapped up the three points with a textbook free-kick, bending his effort into the far corner with his left boot.

It was a promising, back-to-basics display from the United ace, but Ruben Amorim has perhaps now been given more questions than answers.

Man United’s system is stifling Amad Diallo

Amad Diallo is at his explosive best when he starts as a traditional winger, and he relishes being given room to come inside, cross or pull the trigger.

One-on-ones have long been his bread and butter, dating back to his breakout campaign at Atalanta in Serie A, but he also relies heavily on support.

Amad was tipped to be a big threat at wing-back, but he has suffered there at times under Amorim.

Fielded high and wide by Ivory Coast, Amad was able to capitalise on the space behind during the second half, which was a stark contrast to his travails at United.

Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation has often been accused of prioritising defensive stability over freedom, and Amad has often found himself pushed back into the midfield.

At wing-back, he is responsible for tracking runners out wide, watching for transitions and timing his runs forward, and as a result, his desire to take on his man and cause havoc has been stunted.

Indeed, he has regularly found himself in areas in which he thrives much less, with the priority on supporting Bryan Mbeumo down the right-hand side instead.

Robbie Savage believes Amad isn’t suited to the system, and after being bounced from wing-back to the No 10 role, it is no surprise the forward hasn’t been able to find consistency.

He started well under Amorim, assisting three of his side’s five league goals after he took charge, but has since dropped his performance levels. There have been promising glimpses, such as against Sunderland, but everything is coming in fits and starts.

That undermines what his game is all about and unnecessarily stifles his magic.

Ruben Amorim criticised for Amad Diallo decision

Amad showed the world that he could adapt to the faster pace in the Premier League during his successful loan spell with Sunderland in 2022-23.

Then Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray got the most out of the winger by giving him the freedom he craves, and he criticised Amorim last month for wasting his talent.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Mowbray said: “You maybe have to put an extra man in there, so why would you be so stuck on one system and trying to force Amad as a right wing-back?

“Amad who’s a brilliant footballer, Man United class I would suggest. I speak to Gary Pallister a lot about this when we sit and have coffee near my street most days. Amad, he’s a genius.”

Mowbray then added: “I talked about not having to look at the ball, the ball’s stuck to his left foot. He is a brilliant football player, and a brilliant human being.

“You’re playing him at right wing-back just to fit into your system. He should be bending it in the top corner with his left foot, he should be sitting people on their backside and scoring wonderful goals like I know he can. Why’s he chasing people into his own box playing right wing-back?”

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