Rio Ferdinand strongly believes that Amad Diallo is making a compelling case for a regular spot in Manchester United’s starting lineup. This belief follows Diallo’s standout performance, even as United lost 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion.
At the Amex Stadium, Brighton secured their win with goals from Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro, leaving United empty-handed. Despite the defeat, Diallo scored United’s only goal, showcasing his skill by cutting in from the right and delivering a powerful shot that beat the Brighton goalkeeper, demonstrating both his technical prowess and composure.
Diallo’s goal was particularly meaningful as it came shortly after he shared the tragic news of his stepmother’s death. His ability to perform well under such personal distress underscored his emotional strength and dedication to the game. Despite the challenging circumstances, Diallo has been in excellent form, starting in recent Premier League matches against Fulham and Brighton. Ferdinand, noting these performances, believes Diallo deserves a consistent spot in the starting eleven.
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Ferdinand praised Diallo for his impressive display despite his personal grief. “I’m really happy for him,” Ferdinand said. “It’s been a tough week for Amad with his stepmother’s passing, but his performance was outstanding. He showed resilience and brilliance, particularly with that goal—his signature move of drawing in the defender, cutting inside, and finishing calmly yet powerfully. He’s proving himself worthy of a regular starting role.”
Ferdinand also addressed Manchester United’s defensive issues, criticizing their mistakes that led to Joao Pedro’s decisive goal. He highlighted the defensive lapses that allowed Pedro too much space to score from close range.
United manager Erik ten Hag expressed frustration over his team’s defensive shortcomings, especially during the moments leading to Brighton’s second goal. Ferdinand suggested that Harry Maguire’s earlier substitution might have impacted the defensive performance. Maguire, who had been replaced by new signing Matthijs de Ligt, was seen by Ferdinand as having been the best defender on the field for United. Ferdinand found the substitution puzzling and felt that Maguire might have better organized the defense.
Ferdinand also questioned the decision to substitute a center-back without any apparent injury, noting that such decisions were uncommon in his playing days. He acknowledged that de Ligt performed well after coming on but reiterated that Maguire’s performance had been solid throughout most of the game.
Overall, Ferdinand’s comments emphasized Diallo’s promise and the concerns about United’s defensive stability, particularly regarding tactical decisions and defensive organization.
