Amad Diallo 'deserves to play,' says Man Utd boss despite continuing to overlook him

Erik Ten Hag continues to insist Amad Diallo is firmly in his Manchester United plans despite other players given opportunities ahead of the former Sunderland loanee.

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag says former Sunderland loanee Amad Diallo ‘deserves to play’ despite him being ignored entirely.

Amad has played just 46 minutes for Man Utd this season, including ten minutes from the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Fulham on Saturday.

However, Marcus Rashford moving to a central position in the Fulham game and Alejandro Garacho switching to the left, an opportunity to play on the right, Amad’s favoured position, was up for grabs.

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Ten Hag gave that opportunity to youngster Omari Forson instead, though, picking him ahead of both Amad and Anthony.

It comes after Man Utd rejected a request from Amad to return to Sunderland on loan in the last couple of days in the transfer market.

“The form Antony is in, we all have seen and he has to step up,” Ten Hag said. “I see it in training, but also Omari [Forson] and Amad Diallo and Garnacho deserve to play.”

“He has to prove a point but he will be able to do that,” the Dutchman said. “He has big potential even though he hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is and it’s about him proving his talent, it’s about him.

“He will probably get his opportunities but I think that was probably always the idea and you have competitions and now he has to show himself on the training pitch but also others do.

“We have opportunities there with [Amad] Diallo returning from injury he’s doing well in training, Omar is doing well.

“We have options to fill in those positions, it’s not set that Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward.”

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