Rio Ferdinand has expressed a strong belief that Amad Diallo is making a convincing argument for a regular spot in Manchester United’s starting lineup. This comes after Diallo delivered yet another impressive performance, even though Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The match at the Amex Stadium saw United go down to goals from Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro, which secured a crucial win for Brighton and left Manchester United without any points. Despite the loss, Amad Diallo managed to find the back of the net for United, scoring their only goal of the match. The 22-year-old winger showcased his talent by cutting in from the right flank and unleashing a powerful shot that beat the Brighton goalkeeper, demonstrating not only his technical ability but also his calmness under pressure.
Diallo’s goal carried additional emotional weight, coming shortly after he shared the heart-wrenching news of his stepmother’s passing. This personal tragedy did not deter him from putting in a remarkable performance on the field. Diallo’s emotional dedication of his goal to his late stepmother added a poignant layer to his achievement, highlighting his mental strength and dedication to the game. Despite the challenging circumstances, Diallo has maintained an impressive run of form, having started in Manchester United’s recent Premier League matches against both Fulham and Brighton. Ferdinand, observing these performances, believes that Diallo’s current form should be enough to secure him a consistent place in the starting eleven.
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand expressed his admiration for Diallo, noting how the young winger had managed to perform at such a high level despite dealing with personal grief. “I’m really happy for him,” Ferdinand remarked. “It’s been a tough week for Amad with the loss of his stepmother, but his performance today was nothing short of outstanding. He showed both resilience and brilliance, especially with that goal, which is a signature Amad move—drawing in the defender, cutting inside, and then delivering a calm yet powerful finish. He’s certainly proving himself worthy of a regular starting role.”
Ferdinand didn’t just focus on Diallo’s individual brilliance, however. He also discussed Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities, pointing out the mistakes that led to Joao Pedro’s late goal, which sealed the victory for Brighton. Ferdinand was critical of United’s defensive organization, highlighting how the backline failed to properly mark Pedro, giving him too much time and space to score from close range.
Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, also expressed frustration with his team’s defensive lapses, specifically criticizing the lack of organization during the crucial moments leading up to Brighton’s second goal. Ferdinand suggested that had Harry Maguire remained on the pitch, the defensive outcome might have been different. Maguire, who had been substituted earlier, was replaced by newly signed defender Matthijs de Ligt, a decision that Ferdinand found somewhat surprising.
“I thought Harry Maguire was starting to grow into the game and put in a good performance,” Ferdinand observed. “In fact, I believe he was the best defender on the field for United today. It was a bit puzzling to see him taken off. If he had stayed on, perhaps he would have been able to organize the defense better and prevent that second goal.”
Ferdinand went on to elaborate on his views regarding the substitution, saying, “It’s always confusing when a center-back is substituted during a match without any signs of injury. This kind of decision wasn’t common during my playing days. However, with the depth that United have in their squad, it seems the manager is trying to keep everyone happy.”
When commenting on Matthijs de Ligt’s performance after coming on as a substitute, Ferdinand acknowledged that the Dutch defender appeared comfortable on the pitch. However, he reiterated his belief that Harry Maguire had not performed poorly, emphasizing that his overall display was solid for the majority of the game.
In conclusion, Rio Ferdinand’s comments highlighted both the promise of young talents like Amad Diallo, who are making a strong case for inclusion in the starting lineup, and the ongoing concerns about Manchester United’s defensive stability, especially in critical moments. While Ferdinand praised Diallo’s resilience and skill, he also questioned some of the tactical decisions made during the match, particularly those concerning defensive substitutions and organization.