The match against Southampton, the bottom team with a series of bad performances, was expected to be an opportunity for Man United to regain confidence and prove their class. However, the first half at Old Trafford witnessed a weak performance from the "Red Devils".
The midfield of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo was slow and indecisive in applying pressure, leaving large gaps that opponents could easily exploit. The defense also struggled when Leny Yoro was constantly disturbed by Kamaldeen Sulemana on the right flank. The anxiety spread, making the defenders afraid to push forward, creating more pressure on the front line.
The Red Devils were lucky to have goalkeeper Andre Onana, who played calmly and confidently, making some fantastic saves to keep the net. However, Man United still conceded a goal in the final minutes of the first half. Captain Ruben Amorim admitted that his team lacked speed and control in the last match.
The turning point came when Amad Diallo scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute. The Ivorian star's efforts in dribbling and finishing were rewarded. His goal helped Man United players feel more comfortable and became a stepping stone for the 2002-born star to shine brightly right after that.
In the next 12 minutes, Amad continued to show his scoring ability to help Man United come back. The second goal was a volley from a delicate pass from Eriksen. Finally, the 22-year-old striker completed a brilliant day with a hat-trick of goals after a very quick ball-stealing situation from center-back Harwood-Bellis.
“I need to go forward and be stronger in the final third with the task of scoring goals. This is probably one of the best weeks of my life. We believed in winning and it came true,” Amad Diallo said.
The statistics show how influential Amad has been for the Old Trafford side this season. He leads the way in attacking carries and dangerous plays, and has the highest expected assists in the team. Since November, Amad has been directly involved in 10 goals (5 goals and 5 assists), behind only Mohamed Salah (20) and Alexander Isak (17).
Not only outstanding in attack, Amad also showed enthusiasm and responsibility on the defensive front. From sliding to win the ball early in the match to avoid a corner, to pressing the opponent in the extra time, the 22-year-old star proved that he is not only a potential young talent but also a true warrior on the pitch.
“Amad brings the fighting spirit that I want to see in the team. However, he still has a lot to improve. We need Amad to continue to show that in the upcoming matches,” said Ruben Amorim.
Despite the impressive victory, the match against Southampton also exposed many problems for Man United. The lack of connection in the game, slow thinking and individual mistakes continued to be fatal weaknesses. If not for the brilliance of Amad, the "Red Devils" could have suffered their fourth consecutive defeat at home.
