Man Utd to offer new long-term contract to most important attacker

Manchester United are ready to reward Amad Diallo’s excellent start to the season with a new long-term contract.

Amad has started four of Man Utd’s first five games of the season, and The MEN reports that the Red Devils are ready to open talks over a new deal for the 22-year-old.

Although he is into the last year of his deal, United are in little rush. If a new deal hasn’t been struck by January, they are in a position to trigger his automatic one-year extension, which will prevent him from leaving for nothing.

READ MORE: Star ‘good enough for Barca and Real Madrid’ given Man Utd return advice

Such an outcome would be a disaster for the Red Devils, not only because they invested €15 million in his services in January 2021 but also because he has developed into their “most important” attacker at the start of the season, forcing Antony completely out of the picture for the moment.

United might have endured a disappointing start to the season, but with one goal and an assist, Amad has already managed to match Antony’s record in the Premier League from last term.

But Ivory Coast winger doesn’t just deserve to be compared to the big-money flop; he has been the pick of Erik ten Hag’s forwards in the formative weeks of the campaign.

READ MORE: Sancho SHINES, Ugarte IMPRESSES: How each Premier League debutant performed this weekend

Amad finished last season in excellent form. Having spent much of the campaign injured, it would be April before he was given any serious game time while Ten Hag did not trust him to start until the final three games of the term. A goal and an assist against Newcastle in the penultimate match of the season has acted as a springboard for him to shine.

The momentum he gained from that match has continued into the 2024/25 season.

The numbers that show Amad Diallo’s Man Utd importance

Amad’s contribution should be judged by more than simply goals.

For example, he leads United in a creative sense. With 10 key passes to his name, no other Man Utd player has more than half that figure. Similarly, he sits on 14 shot-creating actions, three clear of Bruno Fernandes, who has played a full game more.

As an outlet high up the field, he has proven to be remarkably available. No player has more than his 105 touches in the final third of the park or the 21 he has mustered in the penalty box. Both these figures are nearly twice as high as Marcus Rashford, who has played more than 50 minutes more.

Another important attribute that Ten Hag will be assessing is his defensive contribution, particularly high up the field.

Amad is shining in this capacity. He has three tackles in the final third – another Man Utd-leading number – showing that he is effective when it comes to pressing.