Erik ten Hag says a ‘brave’ Manchester United player really impressed him against Arsenal

United didn’t have the punch up front to really threaten the Gunners and, despite a high-energy display, fell short.

However, compared to the 4-0 away defeat at Crystal Palace, this performance almost felt uplifting. One reason for the positivity was Amad Diallo.

Erik ten Hag praises Amad

Amad was making just his first Premier League start of the season. It seemed long overdue. It’s time for the Ivorian to start turning his potential into production.

He played 70 minutes for Manchester United against Arsenal and was one of the Red Devils’ best players.

Speaking to the club’s press, Erik ten Hag said: “It’s his first start. He did good. He was very intelligent, very confident.”

He added that he was pleased with Amad’s overall performance, including how he helped in defence.

Ten Hag said: “I think Amad has deserved (his start) and there is still a lot of competition in that position.

“So he was injured for a long time and he recovered. It was worth it and throughout the season with (Alejandro) Garnacho, with Antony, we have options and (Marcus) Rashford played there as well.

“But today I thought he deserved it and he played really well, he did what we expected him to do, he was brave, he was creative, he defended really well and I was impressed with his performance.”

The place in the FA Cup final is up for grabs

Amad suffered a knock in the first half when he was fouled and unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.

He will be looking to start at least one of United’s two remaining league games when we face Newcastle this week and then Brighton at the weekend.

The ultimate goal for Amad this season would be to force his way into the Wembley starting line-up to face City in the FA Cup final.

Although, the super-sub role suits him if the game is as close as the quarter-final against Liverpool, where he hit a memorable winner.

United may be so lucky. City are in terrific form, while Manchester United have won just one game since then that didn’t require a penalty shoot-out.

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