[saivet]

Other than his goal, Amad hasn't looked ready yet.

I tend to agree. He's not been given many opportunities but from his brief cameos I don't think he's shown enough to warrant playing much more. I hope we do give him more chances as most of the time when he's featured the game has been dead.

 

[Pickle85]

Ok so a bad performance on the ball now means he's useless? James has his uses, wins loads of free kicks, takes loads of hits and gets up every time, runs his ass off and works incredibly hard to put a shift in defensively which balances out having Rashford, Bruno, Greenwood as 3 of the other 4. Putting a kid who has 0 muscle on him would not only be a risk to be detrimental to himself with all the kicks and potentially getting injured as his body isn't ready for that, but also be a detriment for the team as it wouldn't have enough balance in the attack between attack and defence.

Again, Amad Diallo was not bought for this season. He wasn't bought for next season. He was bought because he has supposedly world class potential, but that doesn't mean he is world class right away. Just like when Sir Alex would start Park Ji Sung ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo often times during Ronaldo's first year or 2 when he was a teenager. Amad Diallo is literally a teenager with the body of a kid who has had virtually no exposure to professional mens football. So no, it's not wasted money. It's just he was bought to be a long term member of the first team, and not an immediate member of the first team.

People in here need to relax ffs.

This sums it up for me. Dan James is nobody's idea of a United first team starter, I think we all probably agree, but to say that a kid with next to no experience at the top level who very few of us will have seen (outside of YouTube clips) for any length of time deserves to start ahead of him is madness imo. He'll be eased in and that's exactly how it should be. I also agree that, although he shouldn't be starting for us regularly, Dan James' contribution does often go unnoticed. He is a real nuisance defensively and offensively, stretches teams, wins free kicks and never stops running. You put Amad in on that side at the moment and we're much more exposed defensively.

I think it comes down to an impatience on fans' part to see the new wonderkid that we've heard so much about but it's worth remembering that just as we're quick to talk players up, we're quick to tear them down. The same people calling for him to be a nailed on starter (despite having seen very little of him to back this up) will likely be calling for his head after a few games.

 

[jackal&hyde]

This sums it up for me. Dan James is nobody's idea of a United first team starter, I think we all probably agree, but to say that a kid with next to no experience at the top level who very few of us will have seen (outside of YouTube clips) for any length of time deserves to start ahead of him is madness imo. He'll be eased in and that's exactly how it should be. I also agree that, although he shouldn't be starting for us regularly, Dan James' contribution does often go unnoticed. He is a real nuisance defensively and offensively, stretches teams, wins free kicks and never stops running. You put Amad in on that side at the moment and we're much more exposed defensively.

I think it comes down to an impatience on fans' part to see the new wonderkid that we've heard so much about but it's worth remembering that just as we're quick to talk players up, we're quick to tear them down. The same people calling for him to be a nailed on starter (despite having seen very little of him to back this up) will likely be calling for his head after a few games.

I think it's fine to be exited about the new highly rated signing but what I don't get is the James bashing. He is not a seasoned vet taking development time away from someone. He is a kid himself with very obvious qualities, pace, work rate and discipline and obvious problems like decision making in the final 3ed and composure; things that are natural to a player that is very much a work in progress. Ask Pep and other managers how much the "enjoy" playing against James.

Get off his back you bullies.

 

[Desert Eagle]

James is worse than Kieran Richardson and is not some young kid. He's 23 the same age as Rashford. Just play Amad ahead of him.

 

[Pickle85]

James is worse than Kieran Richardson and is not some young kid. He's 23 the same age as Rashford. Just play Amad ahead of him.

Again: what has Amad shown you that dictates he should play ahead of James (beyond your bizarre comparison between James and Richardson)? Also, when did 23 become a seasoned player?! He's still learning his trade ffs. Paul Scholars didn't become a key player in his preferred position until a similar age.

 

[laughtersassassin]

With how physical Granada was today Amad would have just been bullied.

James' speed fit us well in the second half when more space opened up.

Amad is very fast and has better feet than James

 

[Mickson]

Again: what has Amad shown you that dictates he should play ahead of James (beyond your bizarre comparison between James and Richardson)? Also, when did 23 become a seasoned player?! He's still learning his trade ffs. Paul Scholars didn't become a key player in his preferred position until a similar age.

Just because you are young, doesn't mean you will turn out to be great. James will obviously never be a great player. Is it so hard to see? Amad is twice the talent. Ole doesn't have the balls to play Amad though, he is going for the safe option, as he usually does.

 

[horsechoker]

Amad = good
James = bad

Amad play, Amad = bad

 

[Desert Eagle]

Again: what has Amad shown you that dictates he should play ahead of James (beyond your bizarre comparison between James and Richardson)? Also, when did 23 become a seasoned player?! He's still learning his trade ffs. Paul Scholars didn't become a key player in his preferred position until a similar age.

Who the feck is Paul Scholars? Amad has shown he has a semblance of a football brain for one. I don't rate Dan James at all and my comparison to richardson is to show that he is not of the required level if we want to win big trophies.

 

[Pickle85]

Who the feck is Paul Scholars? Amad has shown he has a semblance of a football brain for one. I don't rate Dan James at all and my comparison to richardson is to show that he is not of the required level if we want to win big trophies.

As you probably guessed, my phone autocorrected Scholes to scholars. The same Kieran Richardson that has a Premier League medal? It takes big squads to win titles and Dan James (again, who I don't rate massively myself) offers certain attributes that are appealing.

When you say Amad has a football brain, how much have you actually seen him play at the top level? You're making some pretty sweeping judgements considering the amount of first team football he's played. He could well go on to hear things and has shown some glimpses of real talent in the football I've seen him play, but what we've seen of him so far at united doesn't, to me, indicate that he's ready to start games for us.

 

[Pickle85]

Just because you are young, doesn't mean you will turn out to be great. James will obviously never be a great player. Is it so hard to see? Amad is twice the talent. Ole doesn't have the balls to play Amad though, he is going for the safe option, as he usually does.

I agree that Dan James will likely never be a great but how much have you watched of Amad at the top level to be saying he's 'twice the talent'? These sorts of comments are baseless, a bit silly to me, and setting the kid up for a massive fall if/when he doesn't reach your Ronaldo mk II expectations. He's shown promise and we wouldn't have paid the money we did if we didn't think he had it in him to be special, but give him time ffs. The coaches that see him in training every day probably know a little more than Mickson from the Caf.

 

[Cassidy]

Again: what has Amad shown you that dictates he should play ahead of James (beyond your bizarre comparison between James and Richardson)? Also, when did 23 become a seasoned player?! He's still learning his trade ffs. Paul Scholars didn't become a key player in his preferred position until a similar age.

In his appearance for Atalanta in the UCL he showed he was a better player tbh

Im guessing he needs to adjust to English football though

 

[Pickle85]

In his appearance for Atalanta in the UCL he showed he was a better player tbh

Im guessing he needs to adjust to English football though

The one game he played against Midtjylland showed he's already a better player? I think sometimes the fact that players are better with ball at feet makes people think that that makes them automatically better equipped to start. He's even more lightweight than Dan James and hasn't yet shown the same hunger to work back. I don't doubt that he'll eventually work his way ahead of James in the pecking order but to say that he's already a better player based on one game Vs a team of farmers seems a bit of a stretch...

 

[Cassidy]

The one game he played against Midtjylland showed he's already a better player? I think sometimes the fact that players are better with ball at feet makes people think that that makes them automatically better equipped to start. He's even more lightweight than Dan James and hasn't yet shown the same hunger to work back. I don't doubt that he'll eventually work his way ahead of James in the pecking order but to say that he's already a better player based on one game Vs a team of farmers seems a bit of a stretch...

I didnt say he is better equiped to start hence saying he may need to adjust.

But he is a better player from what I have seen. Better decision making, better with the ball and better at taking players on

 

[Thiagoal]

I find it odd that he’s not been playing for the U23’s. The kid has had so little competitive football recently I’m not sure why he can’t play for them and then also be on the bench for the first team?

 

[sglowrider]

I find it odd that he’s not been playing for the U23’s. The kid has had so little competitive football recently I’m not sure why he can’t play for them and then also be on the bench for the first team?

Says he is 'work in progress' and the U23 is just too easy for him? Shows how big a jump it is for a player from U-23s to the 1st team.

 

[The Siege]

I find it odd that he’s not been playing for the U23’s. The kid has had so little competitive football recently I’m not sure why he can’t play for them and then also be on the bench for the first team?

I agree. Ole clearly doesn't see him playing a large role in the first team, at least let him get some playing time with the U23s instead, even if it's not every game.

 

[Berbasbullet]

I find it odd that he’s not been playing for the U23’s. The kid has had so little competitive football recently I’m not sure why he can’t play for them and then also be on the bench for the first team?

I think it’s because of the bubbles etc.

 

[SirScholes]

Who the feck is Paul Scholars? Amad has shown he has a semblance of a football brain for one. I don't rate Dan James at all and my comparison to richardson is to show that he is not of the required level if we want to win big trophies.

Paul scholars here, tbf I think Dan James is a donkey and Kieran Richardson showed more intelligence than him.
but when rashford Cavani Greenwood isn’t available as a front 3 sadly James is the better option at the moment
I don’t think the team is settled enough to bring in Amad

 

[Desert Eagle]

As you probably guessed, my phone autocorrected Scholes to scholars. The same Kieran Richardson that has a Premier League medal? It takes big squads to win titles and Dan James (again, who I don't rate massively myself) offers certain attributes that are appealing.

When you say Amad has a football brain, how much have you actually seen him play at the top level? You're making some pretty sweeping judgements considering the amount of first team football he's played. He could well go on to hear things and has shown some glimpses of real talent in the football I've seen him play, but what we've seen of him so far at united doesn't, to me, indicate that he's ready to start games for us.

Paul Scholars is a cracking name tbf. I don't think james is as good as Richardson and agree with your points about a squad and having squad players. I think the difference comes down to high ceiling vs high floor. James is the type of player with a high floor and lower ceiling. He always offers effort and heart even though his moments of quality are rare. In the admittedly little i have seen of Amad he is a high ceiling player, very much capable of moments of magic if lacking a few fundamentals. I would rather we use our youth players for the workrate heart stuff and have players like amad as a squad option.

Paul scholars here, tbf I think Dan James is a donkey and Kieran Richardson showed more intelligence than him.
but when rashford Cavani Greenwood isn’t available as a front 3 sadly James is the better option at the moment
I don’t think the team is settled enough to bring in Amad

Fair enough. The kid has been here months and is yet to get a start though.

 

[Pickle85]

Paul Scholars is a cracking name tbf. I don't think james is as good as Richardson and agree with your points about a squad and having squad players. I think the difference comes down to high ceiling vs high floor. James is the type of player with a high floor and lower ceiling. He always offers effort and heart even though his moments of quality are rare. In the admittedly little i have seen of Amad he is a high ceiling player, very much capable of moments of magic if lacking a few fundamentals. I would rather we use our youth players for the workrate heart stuff and have players like amad as a squad option.



Fair enough. The kid has been here months and is yet to get a start though.

Ha, Paul Scholars would be a nailed on starter, for sure! Can't disagree with anything here - all fair. For what it's worth I am also really excited to see what Amad does and think he has a bright future ahead of him. Also agree that it's more satisfying to make the more...shall we say 'functional' players than to buy them in. Give me a Scotty McT type coming through the ranks over a bought in workhorse any day.

 

[Hoof the ball]

Amad can't play because he doesn't have experience, yet, without getting minutes he won't have the required experience to play.

It's easy enough to say, well, next season he'll play, but suppose he doesn't get a minute between now and the end of season, how is he going to be more ready when the 2021/22 season starts? He'll still be in the same position as now; same minutes played and possibly a little stronger through pre-season strength and conditioning, but his overall minutes will still be deemed insufficient to play a part in substitute appearances with any regularity.

 

[Still ill]

Every game a final since he signed, can't understand why people think it's strange that he hasn't got starts. He'll get his chances.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

Every game a final since he signed, can't understand why people think it's strange that he hasn't got starts. He'll get his chances.

Yep, I agree. With perhaps the already 4-0 up 2nd leg v Sociedad the only real opportunity for a start?

There's maybe been opportunities for a few more sub appearances - especially in games when we've not even used the full quota and players have looked tired - but it's really not a big issue. He's 18, inexperienced, and wasn't signed to make an automatic impact in the first team squad so any appearances this season are just bonuses for his development.

By next season he'll have had time to settle in England and at the club, and will have had a pre-season preparation so will go into the campaign at the same match fitness level as everyone else - rather than playing catch up having rarely featured for Atalanta. There'll also be a little less pressure on the games early in the season, and early cup rounds, so more opportunities for game time for a youngster rather than at this crucial stage of the campaign.

 

[OleGunnar20]

As you probably guessed, my phone autocorrected Scholes to scholars. The same Kieran Richardson that has a Premier League medal? It takes big squads to win titles and Dan James (again, who I don't rate massively myself) offers certain attributes that are appealing.

When you say Amad has a football brain, how much have you actually seen him play at the top level? You're making some pretty sweeping judgements considering the amount of first team football he's played. He could well go on to hear things and has shown some glimpses of real talent in the football I've seen him play, but what we've seen of him so far at united doesn't, to me, indicate that he's ready to start games for us.

Agreed. James will never be a world beater, but his attitude, work rate and speed alone make him a very useful squad addition. People love to write players like him off for the shiny new toy and its a shame I think. A squad needs its squaddies, and James for my money is a decent addition.

Having said that, we're all no doubt hoping Amad will develop to be a far more exciting attacking player. He certainly looks to have the tools but surely, he doesn't look anywhere near ready for the expectation which would be piled on him should he start an extended run of games at RW.

Ole did a great job of blooding Greenwood, despite us impatient muppets screaming for more starts from the sidelines. I trust he'll follow a similar path with Amad, Shoretire, Mejbri, Pellestri and co.

Exciting times i reckon.

 

[TwoSheds]

Every game a final since he signed, can't understand why people think it's strange that he hasn't got starts. He'll get his chances.

Depends how the next few games go I suppose. If City were to pick up a couple more wins and we had a decent gap to Leicester I don't see why he couldn't start a couple of Prem games. But for as long as we're still in the hunt in the EL and PL then he's gonna get a few minutes off the bench at best.

 

[pascell]

Depends how the next few games go I suppose. If City were to pick up a couple more wins and we had a decent gap to Leicester I don't see why he couldn't start a couple of Prem games. But for as long as we're still in the hunt in the EL and PL then he's gonna get a few minutes off the bench at best.

I don't even see him getting minutes off the bench unless of an injury crisis. It took Ole until late in the Sociedad game in which we were 4-0 up to bring him on.

I'm just perplexed as to why we haven't had him get minutes with the u23s in the meantime when he's not been playing for the first team.

 

[RUCK4444]

I don't even see him getting minutes off the bench unless of an injury crisis. It took Ole until late in the Sociedad game in which we were 4-0 up to bring him on.

I'm just perplexed as to why we haven't had him get minutes with the u23s in the meantime when he's not been playing for the first team.

I think Ole’s keen to give him minutes in the first team but we haven’t really had many chances to throw him on as our games recently have been quite tetchy and goals have dried up a tad.

 

[pascell]

I think Ole’s keen to give him minutes in the first team but we haven’t really had many chances to throw him on as our games recently have been quite tetchy and goals have dried up a tad.

I agree and that's why I feel we should be giving him minutes for the u23s. Whenever he has been given game time, it's felt like a token gesture in which he hasn't been given time to make an impact.

 

[RUCK4444]

I agree and that's why I feel we should be giving him minutes for the u23s. Whenever he has been given game time, it's felt like a token gesture in which he hasn't been given time to make an impact.

Yeah but it’s difficult, what Ole is waiting for is a game that we have tied up with a few goals to the good, with a good half hour spare to put Amad on.

Securing top four is life of death for Ole, starting Amad is risky until he’s bedded in with the team etc. Our games just haven’t provided Ole the best opportunity to get him on the pitch.

James gets starts because of his tracking back and high energy.

 

[sglowrider]

Yep, I agree. With perhaps the already 4-0 up 2nd leg v Sociedad the only real opportunity for a start?

There's maybe been opportunities for a few more sub appearances - especially in games when we've not even used the full quota and players have looked tired - but it's really not a big issue. He's 18, inexperienced, and wasn't signed to make an automatic impact in the first team squad so any appearances this season are just bonuses for his development.

By next season he'll have had time to settle in England and at the club, and will have had a pre-season preparation so will go into the campaign at the same match fitness level as everyone else - rather than playing catch up having rarely featured for Atalanta. There'll also be a little less pressure on the games early in the season, and early cup rounds, so more opportunities for game time for a youngster rather than at this crucial stage of the campaign.

He will be chomping at the bits to start by now. Maybe Ole is learning the lessons of Macheda who scored the wonder goal and then gradually proceeded to play himself into oblivion. Keep him humble and keep him hungry.

 

[Mr PG]

Amad looks a top talent but he's been easily bullied off the ball..physically and needs a pre-season with strength work and Ole knows this so he's drip feeding him with an eye on next season.

 

[AjaxCunian]

At least he has had some impact I guess, but the buys of Traore en Pellistri seem very pointless if United sign a right-winger this summer. The money could have easily been used to strengthen the team in other areas.

 

[Pavl3n]

At least he has had some impact I guess, but the buys of Traore en Pellistri seem very pointless if United sign a right-winger this summer. The money could have easily been used to strengthen the team in other areas.

Who is he?

Hopefully we can come quick out of the blocks this Thursday and have a goal or two more cushion so he can get hopefully 45 minutes.

 

[spontaneus1]

Somehow not a foul on him at the end?

 

[Hoof the ball]

Somehow not a foul on him at the end?

Quite simply the ref avoiding having to give the red card for a foul in the last minute.

 

[charlenefan]

Some nice classy intelligent touches in that cameo

Ref was diabolical all game and his performance was summed up by not giving a foul at the end

 

[laughtersassassin]

Should have got more minutes.

The fact he has been given 10 minutes total since he scored versus Milan is a bit of a joke.

No reward for keeping us in the competition.

Say he is nervous only have a few minutes every 5+ games.

 

[Dembeza]

Somehow not a foul on him at the end?

He got wiped out, this ref was a disaster all game

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I think he makes brilliant runs.