Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, it is unlikely Manchester United will produce another moment as memorable as Amad did against Liverpool last month.. With United’s season on the line the Ivorian, who had stepped off the bench with five minutes of regulation time remaining, struck a left-footed shot in the dying seconds of extra-time that hit the post and then the net. One swing of his left boot had kept the club’s season alive.. Amid the magnitude of the goal, Amad removed his shirt earning a second yellow card and a red. It meant he missed the trip to Brentford 13 days later.. READ MORE: Erik ten Hag claims Antony was provoked by Coventry players. READ MORE: Every word of Erik ten Hag’s explosive press conference rant. Had he kept his shirt on as he celebrated, there would have been a good chance Amad would have started the clash in west London. As it is, his wait for a first start of the season is still ongoing.. His cameo appearance against Coventry City at Wembley marked just his second appearance since being sent-off against Liverpool. Despite struggling to impose himself off the bench in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, he offered flashes of encouragement against Coventry.. The Ivorian, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland, brought energy and a sense of flair . He completed 95 per cent of his attempted passes, produced three key passes and successfully completed one dribble.. An argument could be made to suggest Amad has found his level, having spent last season playing in the Championship, where he scored 14 goals and registered four assists. However, when you review Antony’s in-game statistics from Sunday’s encounter underneath the infamous arch, there was no comparison between the two.. Antony completed fewer of his passes, amounting to 89 per cent, failed to produce a single key pass and failed to complete the only dribble he attempted. On that evidence, he had no right to cup his ears.. Though his impact was incomparable to the one he had against Liverpool in the previous round, the time has come for Erik ten Hag to give Amad a chance from the off and hand him his first United start since December 2021 when Sheffield United visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Marcus Rashford is a doubt meaning Antony and Amad are in direct competition to join Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho in attack.. Amad was lively in extra-time against Coventry City. (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.). Garnacho is expected to be fit and he has been the brightest of United’s wingers this season and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet. Hojlund has struggled for goals of late, but is United’s only available centre-forward. Based on the lacklustre nature of Antony’s performance at Wembley, it would be another mark against Ten Hag if he selected the Brazilian from the off.. Amad has played an incredibly patient game since returning from injury in December, earning just six substitute appearances. In several he has been bright and offered glimpses of his capabilities. He is quick, direct and capable of scoring goals.. A front-three of Amad, Hojlund and Garnacho would offer a freshness on a night United need to put on a show. Against the division’s bottom club, the stage may never be better for Amad to make his mark.. Get United transfer news and updates on WhatsApp!. Our team of Manchester United experts are on top of all the goings-on at Old Trafford for this week and beyond, and you can get the latest team news, injury updates, reaction and analysis along with inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community. You can also join the 50,000 (and growing!) band of United fans who are following our WhatsApp Channel.. Sign up to our community here, and join our WhatsApp channel here.. –. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
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