A throwback arrival
Amad Diallo reported to Carrington at the start of the week wearing baggy shorts and black boots, looking as if he had stepped out of a Manchester United side from the 1950s rather than returning from a short post-World Cup break. The 24-year-old's summer with Ivory Coast had been productive, but that did not stop him from being a surprise inclusion in the starting XI against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, even with limited training under his belt.
Joshua Zirkzee made way, with Bryan Mbeumo shifted into the central role. The selection was a clear signal of Amad's desire to carry forward the momentum he had built over the summer, and of Michael Carrick's willingness to get him involved at the earliest opportunity.
Sharp in Stockholm
In his 45 minutes on the pitch, Amad looked bright and confident from the first whistle. One pirouette pass to Leny Yoro nearly caught the makeshift right-back short, but the two combined increasingly well as the half wore on, linking up effectively down the flank just before the break.
United fell behind early in Stockholm when Arnau Ortiz's cross beat Yoro and Harry Maguire, leaving Tom Heaton stranded. Amad then came closest to an equaliser. After Mbeumo won a free-kick on the edge of the box, the ball came to rest on the left wing. Amad grabbed it and would not let go, engaging in a lengthy debate with the excellent Mason Mount and Mbeumo before drilling a low effort that took a slight deflection. Jan Oblak saved with his feet and grabbed the ball on the goal line.
Summer momentum
Amad enjoyed a productive summer with Ivory Coast, scoring against France in a World Cup warm-up and adding two fine goals before Norway eliminated his country in the last 32. He looked sharp again here, pressing brilliantly to win possession high up and allowing Shea Lacey to cross for Mbeumo, who headed just wide.
This feels like a big season for Amad, who was disappointing last term and now faces fresh competition for his place. Carrick started three left-footed forwards in Amad, Lacey and Mbeumo, all of whom would probably prefer to play on the right. Mbeumo has scored every goal under Carrick as a striker, and with Benjamin Sesko still out, he could see more minutes in that position. Lacey has started twice as a No.10 in pre-season but will soon hand that shirt to Bruno Fernandes.
Lacey makes his case
All three are competing for minutes, and all need to shine. Amad made his scheduled exit at half-time and then watched Lacey continue to impress. The teenager's quick feet and balance were on show, and he looked at home in elite company. A change of direction in the box earned a 53rd-minute penalty, which Mbeumo converted.
Lacey is now a regular in first-team training. His brief exposure to the senior setup in January under Darren Fletcher marked him out as one to watch, though he struggled for minutes under Carrick last season. This summer he has been to the fore, and the decision to start him as the attacking midfielder was a show of faith. The 19-year-old is not available for loan this summer, and with a crowded schedule in the first half of the season, he will get opportunities to continue his development. This was a step up from thrashing Rosenborg in Trondheim, and he took to it like a duck to water.
A bigger test ahead
Carrick will be glad of the competition in a season that will test him in ways last term didn't. Last season he had days on end to prepare for games and could field a consistent starting line-up. That will not be doable now United are back in the Champions League.
So Amad and Lacey will get games, and if Mbeumo ends up playing as a striker more often, they could all feature regularly. Mbeumo was the matchwinner here, bundling in Jack Fletcher's low cross to turn the game on its head. There was even time for JJ Gabriel to make his first senior appearance, with the 15-year-old coming on for Mbeumo for the final 10 minutes and showing a couple of moments that underlined his dazzling talent.
