Manchester United’s winger, Amad Diallo, couldn’t hide his frustration during Thursday’s Europa League clash against Fenerbahce, where he was only brought onto the pitch in the 89th minute—a move that has stirred discussions among fans.
Diallo, 22, began the season in impressive form, even capturing United’s Player of the Month title in August after notable performances against teams like Manchester City, Brighton, and Fulham. Despite these achievements, Diallo has only started once in United’s last five games, as manager Erik ten Hag has opted for other players.
With injuries depleting United’s lineup, many anticipated a significant role for Diallo in the Turkey fixture. However, in a surprising choice, Ten Hag placed full-back Noussair Mazraoui in the No. 10 position. Later, as United pushed for a winning goal with the score tied at 1-1, Ten Hag chose to sub in Antony instead of Marcus Rashford.
Afterward, Ten Hag defended his decision, stating, “Amad has been performing well, but I need to recognize Antony’s efforts in training. He consistently poses a threat, so I believed he could be a decisive factor tonight.”
Diallo finally joined the game following an injury to Antony, yet fans felt this substitution was far too late. United’s coaching staff, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, and Andreas Georgson, tried to uplift the visibly downcast Ivorian as he prepared to enter at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
The incident quickly gained traction online, with fans voicing their opinions. One supporter tweeted, “Regardless of Amad’s skill, starting a right-back in his role is just disrespectful.” Another posted, “He has every reason to feel upset.”
Similar frustrations were shared by other fans, one remarking, “Amad has proven his offensive skills all season. Subbing Antony in before him? Totally confusing.” Another added, “Seeing Amad visibly disappointed is understandable. One of our top attackers left on the bench when we’re chasing a goal? Just doesn’t add up.”
A fifth fan summed it up, saying, “If you’re Amad Diallo, tonight was a setback, clearly reflecting how the club currently views him.”
