Manchester United have gotten off to an abysmal start and there’s no better way to put it. They sit 12th after 8 games, far off from their Champions League ambitions.
Their Europa League campaign seems to be in jeopardy as well, with 3 draws from 3 games after a draw to Fenerbahce yesterday- they sit in 21st, just making into the playoffs for the round of 16.
Amad Diallo has been one of the few positives for United this season – the young winger was Man United’s player of the month for August. But something’s changed since then.
Diallo has only played 6 minutes in United’s last 4 games, and these reduced minutes have nothing to do with an injury concern.
United’s starting line up on Friday against Fernebahce proved the same as well, manager Ten Hag chose to start right back Mazraoui as a CAM eventhough Amad is fit and can play through the middle.
It’s tough enough when a player is benched, but it’s even more frustrating when they’re played out of position—especially in a role where they could clearly make an impact.
When Diallo was brought on for a singular minute in the Fernebahce game, he had a straight face that showed clear signs of disappointment and unhappiness.
He stood there with the same face even as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, and Andreas Georgson all tried to cheer him up.
Fans are stumped by ETH’s decision, was it a tactical one or was he getting the Sancho treatment for something that has gone on off the pitch?
Ten Hag later revealed in a presser that it was based on Mazraoui’s capabilities as he’s worked with him in the past- he feels he can do a good job as a #10.