Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim expressed his satisfaction with Amad’s swift defensive improvement after the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.
The 22-year-old started on the right wing in United’s 3-4-3 formation and impressively assisted Marcus Rashford’s goal after only 80 seconds.
Amorim had indicated on Friday that he would select full backs in the wide roles but United were without four senior centre backs, so right back Noussair Mazraoui lined up in their back three.
Amad started in caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final two matches in charge and retained his place under the incumbent United coach.
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“I think it was very good, he has improved a lot,” Amorim said of Amad. “Since these three days, he improved so much defensively but for him the opponent he had all the time was the left back (Leif Davis).
“So it’s like a winger follows the left back. It’s so much easier I think because he doesn’t have to think, ‘can I jump in the centre back or not?’ He just follows one guy and goes forward and it’s like a game of man-to-man game in that area. He was so focused on everything, I think he did a great job.
“All the team (did well for the goal) but they are top players, you just put them in positions. They do one-two, run with the ball, good movement from Rash and Garna (Alejandro Garnacho) was also there to score, (Diogo) Dalot was in position, we managed to score.
“I know after that goal with the confidence we have to have more ball and we can do it.”
Andre Onana was United’s best performer by a distance and his steady season continued with three impressive stops from Sammie Szmodics and two either side of half-time from Liam Delap.
“I think it’s so clear for everybody, he saved us two times, at least,” Amorim admitted. “And one important thing is he did long balls and tried to connect with players, that was very good for me, he understood the idea. He did a great job.”
