Ruben Amorim decides first Man Utd player he wants to give new contract after just three matches in charge
Ruben Amorim has made giving a certain Manchester United player a new contract a ‘priority’, according to reports.
Amorim, 39, took charge of his first league game at Old Trafford on Sunday as his players put in an impressive performance during their 4-0 trouncing of Sean Dyche’s Everton.
Marcus Rashford, 27, and Joshua Zirkzee, 23, scored braces, but it is another United man who is impressing the club’s new head coach.
Amad, 22, put in an electric showing against the Toffees, registering two assists.
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He even dispossessed Jarrad Branthwaite before Bruno Fernandes set up Zirkzee’s first strike.
After the game, the United boss praised the winger.
"He is really big in talent, but small in size," Amorim said.
"He did a great job but he also has to improve. He was really good again.
"Ruud van Nistelrooy helped him a lot in his games in charge, and now he’s helping me. He’s in a great moment, but that moment started with Ruud.
“So I just take advantage of Ruud’s work with Amad! He was really good defending and really good attacking, so he has to continue to play like that.
“You could feel it in the end of the game he was really, really tired, so we have to manage that and increase his physical ability.
"I’d like to take credit for [Amad’s pressing], but that’s him. He’s like that. He’s smart. He’s explosive."
Amorim handed the 22-year-old starts in the Premier League fixtures against Ipswich and Everton and brought him off the bench against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League last Thursday evening.
The Ivorian joined the club in January 2021 and enjoyed loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland before becoming a regular in the first-team squad.
The player’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, and according to The Telegraph, “the club do hold an option for a further season”, which fans will no doubt want to be triggered if his good form continues. The article also suggests that a "decision" will need to be made before January.
The report explained that "sources" have said Amad’s contract is “on the agenda” in the coming weeks.
Otherwise, he would be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January 1, 2025.
The club have not confirmed if talks are ongoing.
Topics: Manchester United, Amad Diallo, Ruben Amorim, Premier League, Transfers, Marcus Rashford
Luke Davies