Amad: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Manchester United signing’s debut and hints at first start

Amad was introduced as a 83rd-minute substitute in Turin

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Thursday 18 February 2021 21:20 GMT
Comments
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will consider whether to start Amad against Real Sociedad next Thursday after the youngster's debut appearance in Manchester United’s dominant Europa League first leg win.

The 18-year-old winger was introduced as an 83rd-minute substitute as United ran out 4-0 winners at Turin's Allianz Stadium.

Amad was deployed on the left wing and showed why United were willing to pay a significant fee for a teenager in brief glimpses.

Read more: Dominant Manchester United smash past Real Sociedad to all but progress

The Ivorian, who completed his signing from Atalanta in a potential £37m deal last month, is unlikely to come into the starting line-up for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Newcastle.

But with his side all but assured of progression through to the last-16, Solskjaer said he will mull over whether to start Amad in next Thursday's second leg against Sociedad at Old Trafford.

“We'll make a decision on that after Newcastle,” the United manager said. “He's had a couple of games in the reserves. We'll take it lightly.

“There's still a few players that were on the bench tonight that will want to start of course, but Amad is getting closer. We'll see how much game time he'll get.”

Solskjaer was pleased with United's commanding first leg lead but said that he will still field a strong side for the return.

“We've got to take one game at a time, we've got Newcastle first, but we'll put a strong team out. It's about creating momentum. We've been through a difficult spell.

“We found ourselves a little bit tonight, I thought the boys got that little bit of zip in their legs again. It was important to take some off, we'll rotate definitely, but we're not going to take the game lightly.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in