Michael Carrick has been urged to drop Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, with former Red Devils defender Paul Parker claiming the Ivory Coast international 'no longer looks a threat' ahead of Saturday's clash against Sunderland.
Amad's Struggles Continue
The 23-year-old has endured a difficult season since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year, failing to register a single goal or assist since Carrick took the reins in January. Amad was dropped from the starting XI in last weekend's clash with Liverpool, coming on at half-time after Benjamin Sesko was forced off with an injury. He was almost immediately at fault for Liverpool's equalising goal, giving the ball away carelessly in midfield under no pressure.
Parker's Verdict
Ahead of Saturday's game against Sunderland – the club where Amad thrived on loan in the 2022-23 season – his place in the team is under scrutiny. Parker is not convinced recent performances merit a starting role.
'I'm going to say no, because for the levels he took himself to previously, he's not creating opportunities for himself or for others. He doesn't look a threat,' Parker told Metro.
Positional Dilemma
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo both had roles on the right under Ruben Amorim in his 3-4-3 formation. While Carrick's system change has benefited the team, it leaves just one role on the right open, with Mbeumo frequently moved through the middle. Amad was moved over to the left in the recent win over Brentford but was hauled off at half-time that evening.
With Mbeumo's best football this season also coming from the right, Parker believes it is a problem for Carrick to address.
'He [Amad] is a much better and happier attacking on his strongest foot and that's to step inside on his left foot all the time and that's where his strength is,' Parker said. 'Michael Carrick has a problem because Mbeumo, that's his position as well from when he was at Brentford. That was his strength as well from there.
'I'm sure you can play him through the middle, Mbeumo, but his strength is from there [on the right] and he can move around. He's more comfortable coming off the right side and playing, then he moves around from there. But if you start him in the middle, he doesn't seem as comfortable because I think he loses that flexibility when he's in the middle.
'You put him on the right-hand side and what he does, because of the way he's playing, he attracts players towards him and that's it, because he's such a threat that he loses that when he's not in that position. So, he's got a big problem.'
Amad will be hoping to prove his worth when Manchester United face Sunderland on Saturday, but with Parker's comments adding to the pressure, Carrick faces a tough decision on team selection.
