Erik Ten Hag Excited By Amad's Huge Potential At Manchester United

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United ... [+] applaud the fans after the team's victory during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on May 15, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hailed Amad Diallo’s impact in his side’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Ivorian winger provided the assist for Kobbie Mainoo’s opening goal in the first half, and then put United back into the lead in the second half with a powerfully hit shot to score his first ever goal in the Premier League.

"It was a brilliant goal by Amad,” Ten Hag said. “You see how young players are developing, like Amad, and I was really pleased with his performance and it was a great goal. He is very good. He has high potential.”

Amad had been expected to play a major part in United’s season after impressing on loan at Sunderland in the Championship last season, but picked up a knee injury last summer and didn’t make his first appearance until January.

He has now scored twice in 11 appearances in all competitions, including his dramatic last minute winning goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final, which has put him into contention for a starting place in the FA Cup final next week.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Amad Diallo of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second ... [+] goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on May 15, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“He is a symbol for the season as he had a bad injury,” Ten Hag said. “He fought himself back and had to wait long for his chance and, against Arsenal, and also against Newcastle, he was very good."

United’s win over Newcastle leaves them in eighth place in the table, but keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for European football next season through the league.

"This was a very important win, no question,” Ten Hag said. “We want to give the fans also something and I'm very pleased with that. I was pleased with the performance of the team, we matched Newcastle's physicality and also played some good football.”

“Of course, we are in this together and the fans remained always with us. They stuck with us. We are very pleased they did this. We wanted to pay them back. They were fantastic, great goals but it was also a team effort, how we made the goals."

After attracting recent criticism, Ten Hag was pleased with the performances of two of his players: Casemiro, who is still having to fill in at centre-back, and Rasmus Hojlund, who scored only his second goal in his last 9 Premier League games.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's ... [+] third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on May 15, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

"Casemiro was very stable, he showed leadership. We know how good he is and I'm sure he will take benefit from this. I think he had a very good game. He uses his experience and his calmness so I was very pleased with his performance today."

"I think Hojlund needs some rest so he keeps fresh. But I also know strikers, they live for goals. They are very important for him, his confidence, and I'm really pleased he scored his goal."

Nearing the end of what has been a difficult season, Ten Hag addressed the United fans from the the centre circle after the game.

"I think it's very important. It was our last game here, we finish the season with still two games to go but away from Old Trafford. We want to thank them for sticking with us. We really appreciate, the team appreciate it and the club appreciate it. We are in difficult times, this club is in transition and the results are not what they can expect. But there are reasons for it, all the injuries, but we've still had as disappointing season as we had."

"The club is in transition. It's a disappointing season, that's clear but, in the disappointment, there's progress from some good players, Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho. I'm always happy when young players are progressing very good across the season. I've said before that some good things are happening. Some very good things. There is high potential in the club."