Amad Diallo could make his Manchester United return against Tottenham this weekend after missing the opening seven fixtures with a training-ground injury, providing a significant boost to Michael Carrick's attack.
The 24-year-old sustained a "niggle" during training on the eve of the campaign opener against Hull, but the problem has proved sufficiently serious to rule him out of every United fixture to date. Carrick has indicated that Amad could be available for the first match after the international break.
Attack set for reshuffle
Amad's potential return comes amid uncertainty surrounding Benjamin Sesko's shin injury. Carrick has declined to reveal specifics regarding the striker's condition, though United's medical staff face a challenging task if Sesko is battling shin splints, an ailment which plagued Andy Cole during the 1990s. Such injuries can resurface without warning, evidenced by Sesko's return to the treatment room despite believing he had overcome the issue after missing pre-season for rehabilitation.
Sesko's condition has been further evaluated at Carrington throughout the international break, suggesting Carrick may be deprived of his squad's sole natural centre-forward in the immediate future. Sesko has featured exclusively as a substitute in the Premier League this campaign, with his two starts coming against Sabah in the Champions League and Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
Favoured trio disrupted
Carrick's favoured attacking trio has been Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Following Rashford's return, Cunha has been shifted from the left flank to a central role, with Mbeumo positioned on the right, though the Brazilian has appeared ill-suited to that position.
Mbeumo proves more effective centrally than Cunha, and he can occupy that role when Amad is available, as the latter would feature on the right, presenting a selection between Rashford and Cunha on the left. Cunha appeared more threatening when he switched to the left against Fulham before the interval, which enabled him to cut inside and net an equaliser, albeit with a fortunate deflection.
Amad's previous form
Amad recorded double figures for both goals and assists during the 2024/2025 season, establishing himself as United's most influential performer for considerable periods. He delivered a winning goal against Manchester City in December 2024, the leveller against Liverpool at Anfield, and produced a 10-minute hat-trick against Southampton. He was challenging for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year accolade before sustaining an ankle problem in a training session, sidelining him for three months and ultimately allowing Bruno Fernandes to claim the honour.
His output proved inadequate last season, managing merely two goals and four assists in all competitions, yet his displays throughout the summer World Cup, where he delivered two goals for the Ivory Coast, indicated he would rediscover his finest form when the fresh campaign began.
"I actually think he's playing well," said Carrick when asked about Amad's form earlier this year. "I think, yeah, numbers in terms of goals and assists.... I think there's an awful lot more in the game, playing in a winning team as he has, to worry about numbers. I think he gives the team so much. He's got so much talent, he's got so much ability, but his work ethic and his attitude is fantastic as well. He has played different roles at times. I'm a big fan of Amad."
Carrick will no doubt be thrilled once Amad receives the all-clear from the medical team, potentially in time for Saturday's clash against Tottenham.
