Rio: £29k-a-week Utd ace has to be the ‘first name’ on Amorim’s team sheet from now on, he’s just ‘brilliant’

To nobody’s surprise, Amad Diallo is still reaping all the plaudits over 24 hours on from his match-winning heroics in the Manchester derby.

As was the case nine months ago when he did the same in the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool at Old Trafford, proving that he can come up with the goods on the greatest of occasions.

The Manchester United starlet brings an element of excitement to the team that fans haven’t experienced in a while. He is fearless when on the ball, unafraid to take on his man and unrelenting in his pressing throughout the duration he’s on the pitch.

Remarkably, Amad ranks as one of United’s lowest earners as it stands, pocketing a reported £28,846 per week. That’s all set to change in the coming months though, as he is now locked in negotiations with the club over a bumper contract to keep him tied to M16 long-term; his current terms expire next summer, but the board want his extension signed off on by the new year.

You’d expect that whatever he’s offered by INEOS’ transfer chiefs accurately reflects the integral role he plays under Ruben Amorim. Owen Hargreaves has already hailed the 22-year-old as the only ‘undroppable’ player in the squad while Rio Ferdinand also echoed the sentiment following last night’s Etihad triumph.

Ferdinand agrees with Hargreaves – Amad has to be a mainstay 

He said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: “The new manager’s come in, and I would go as far as to say he (Amad) is the first name on the sheet for this new manager and that’s a testament to this kid’s character, his will to change the tide and swing against the current and say to people, ‘No, no, you can’t leave me out. You can’t! I might be small in stature but I have the biggest heart. I’m going to run, I’m going to work and then I’m going to make decisive, great decisions when I’ve got it, I’m going to impact the game.’”

“With and without the ball, he’s been brilliant,” Ferdinand added. “I think he’s a real footballer. I don’t think that was ever in doubt, everyone could see the talent. But they just didn’t see the other side of him when you look at him.”