Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has thrown his full support behind Amad Diallo, insisting the young winger's performances deserve more credit—even if the stats don't currently tell the full story.
Despite not registering a goal or assist so far in 2026, Carrick is adamant that the Ivory Coast international is contributing far more than numbers suggest. Amad was one of the standout beneficiaries of Ruben Amorim's coaching tenure at Old Trafford, where he flourished in versatile roles—whether deployed as a wing-back or in one of the number 10 positions.
Last season, Amad was electric: 11 goals and 10 assists, with 18 of those contributions coming after Amorim's arrival in November 2024. He carried that momentum into the current campaign, scoring once and setting up three more goals in the first 10 matches. However, since netting in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth—just before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations—the 23-year-old has hit a dry spell.
His most recent setback came when he was substituted at half-time against Brentford, as Carrick made tactical adjustments to counter the dangerous runs of Bees full-back Keane Lewis-Potter. Before that, Amad had missed a golden opportunity after a brilliant run from teammate Kobbie Mainoo carved through three Brentford defenders.
But Carrick is clear: the substitution wasn't a reflection of Amad's form. "I actually think he is playing well," Carrick explained. "There's so much more to the game than just numbers, especially when you're playing in a winning team. He gives the team so much—his talent, work ethic, and attitude are fantastic. He's played different roles for us, and I'm a big fan."
Carrick emphasized that the tactical switch against Brentford was purely about stopping a specific threat, not about Amad's performance. "It was unfortunate we had to change things tactically the other night. That's why he came off. But he has given this team an awful lot. It's about the underbelly of what goes into a performance—not just what grabs the headlines."
For United fans, the message is clear: Amad's impact runs deeper than the scoresheet, and Carrick's backing suggests bigger things are still to come.