This past weekend at Old Trafford, Manchester United lost 2-1 to Fulham, their most recent defeat.

Erik ten Hag, though, is adamant that he is pleased with the club’s growth, saying that “the bigger picture looks very good.”

Erik ten Hag Man U.T.D.
True character is revealed in games when things aren’t going a team’s way, not when they’re winning.

With the exception of a few players this season, only United’s youth have shown the bravery to step up, and Alejandro Garnacho particularly impressed yesterday.

The figures for Alejandro Garnacho’s 2023–2024 season

This season, United’s Argentine has really reached a whole new level. He has grown into one of Ten Hag’s most vital players and is unstoppable.

The 19-year-old has made 18 starts this season and has contributed three assists in addition to five goals in the league. But since Boxing Day, Garnacho has been especially outstanding; only Rasmus Hojlund has contributed more goals this year than him.

Mainoo, Man, United, Premier League Kobbie
His unwavering play style, self-assurance, and fortitude are what set him apart, and they are contagious.

Garnacho tried four dribbles, had three shots, and completed three crucial passes against Fulham on Saturday, all of which show that he was trying to take the initiative and assist his team win.

But there is another member of the United team who, while playing just 19 minutes over the weekend, has the potential to be just as important to the team as Garnacho.

The future star of Manchester United is in the wings.

Amad Diallo is a highly-regarded young player that the United supporters have hardly seen in action. He has played in 11 games for the Red Devils, but his lone goal came in his Europa League debut against AC Milan.

Amad-Diallo-Man-Utd
They are all aware of him, though, because of his impressive loan stints at Sunderland. The 21-year-old was a key member of Tony Mowbray’s squad the previous season, playing right wing, a position that Ten Hag had trouble with before he tried Garnacho on the other side.

Diallo played 37 games for the Black Cats, tallying an impressive 13 goals and dishing out three assists. However, as his stats from the previous season are displayed below along with a comparison to his positional contemporaries, it is clear that Diallo is much more than just a goal scorer.

Amad Diallo: Season 2022–2023

Metric

Stat (as of 90)

Placement within the Championship

Objectives

0.45

Top 6%

completed passes

40.51

Top 4%

enters the final third

3.90

Top 4%

Shot-producing manoeuvres

4.14

Top 8%

enters the penalty area

1.57

Top 12%

Effective attacks

2.16

Top 12%

Statistics through FBref

Amad embodies the quintessential creative winger, has the ability to unleash his magic at any moment. The winger has the ability to turn any game into a win for his team, which is why former teammate Papu Gomez compared him to Messi, saying that “you can’t stop him.”

Scott-McTominay-United Manchester
He can squirm past opponents with his slight 5’8″ stature, but his tremendous technical skill rarely allows him to be bullied off the ball.

In addition, Diallo’s outstanding vision allows him to execute deft passes into the final third.

Amad-Diallo-United Manchester
Ten Hag may look to the former Atalanta player for goals in the FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest this week, as the Fulham game showed that United regularly struggle against a low block. Garnacho may even have an impact on the tie’s outcome.