WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Man Utd beat Newcastle in Old Trafford thriller
By Jack Otway
Published: 16/05/2024
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Amad Diallo after the winger impressed in the Red Devils' 3-2 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Kobbie Mainoo and Anthony Gordon both struck before Amad put United 2-1 up with a powerful low drive.
Another goal from Rasmus Hojlund extended the Red Devils' lead in the 84th minute, with the Denmark international coming off the bench to net.
And though Lewis Hall pulled one back for Eddie Howe's side, the visitors were unable to leave Old Trafford with any points to their name.
It has been a difficult season for United, with the club lurching from one crisis to another.
Amad has, for the most part, been on the fringes of the actionwith the forward making just his eighth Premier League appearance of the campaign.
He has started to show real signs of promise, however, with his heroics against Newcastle coming just days after he'd impressed against Arsenal.
And Ten Hag, speaking after the game, lauded the former Atalanta star for his display.
"It was a brilliant goal by Amad. You see how young players are developing, like Amad, and I was really pleased with his performance and it was a great goal," he said.
"He is very good. He has high potential. He is a symbol for the season as he had a bad injury.
"He fought himself back and had to wait long for his chance and, on Sunday, and also tonight, he was very good."
Ten Hag's decision to drop Hojlund prior to the match raised eyebrows.
He is the club's only available striker at present, with Anthony Martial failing to feature for United since a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in December.
Hojlund has struggled in recent times, with the Denmark international going off the boil.
But Ten Hag was happy to see him score and said he demoted Hojlund to the bench because he needed a rest.
"I think he needs some rest so he keeps fresh," he said.
"But I also know strikers, they live for goals. They are very important for him, his confidence, and I'm really pleased he scored his goal.
Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford is shrouded in uncertainty after a season that has failed to live up to expectations.
Thomas Tuchel, Zinedine Zidane, Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate have all been linked with the Dutchman's job amid the possibility of the sack.
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Yet Ten Hag insists United are in transition and believes the future is extremely bright.
"The club is in transition. It's a disappointing season, that's clear but, in the disappointment, there's progress from some good playersRasmus Hojlund, Amad DIallo, Alejandro Garnacho," said the 54-year-old.
"I'm always happy when young players are progressing very good across the season. I've said before that some good things are happening.
"Some very good things. There is high potential in the club."
And, on addressing fans on the field after the showdown, he added: "They told me every manager is doing this, that is why! I think it's very important.
"It was our last game here, we finish the season with still two games to go but away from Old Trafford. We want to thank them for sticking with us.
"We really appreciate, the team appreciate it and the club appreciate it.
"We are in difficult times, this club is in transition and the results are not what they can expect.
"But there are reasons for it, all the injuries, but we've still had as disappointing season as we had."
