Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scores a hat-trick against Southampton at Old Trafford | Football news

Man City winner. Equalizing goal against Liverpool. And now a match-winning hat-trick, a week after signing a new long-term contract with Manchester United.

Amad Diallo is the shining light of Ruben Amorim’s reign so far.

“This is probably one of the best weeks of my life,” he said. TNT Sports Yet his hat-trick in 12 minutes changed the story for United. It was the senior’s first hat-trick of his career, just seven days after agreeing a goal The deal keeps him at United until 2030.

A miserable 75 minutes saw them on their way to defeat by the bottom club in the Premier League. Instead, United supporters at Old Trafford went home singing Imad’s name. “I am very happy with this victory,” the Ivorian added.

Only Wayne Rooney has scored a Premier League hat-trick at a younger age for Manchester United. However, even at just 22 years old, Imad is showing his more experienced teammates how to adapt and thrive in an unfamiliar system.

Whether playing as one of the striker’s supporting strikers or moving into a wing-back position – as was the case in his last hat-trick – Imad finds ways to influence the game in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

It is significant that of Emad’s six goals in the league this season, two were wins and three were draws. In the big moments, Imad stepped up. Not bad for a player who started just three Premier League matches last season at the hands of Erik ten Hag.

Ironically, the man who sparked Imad’s form was the one who belittled his achievements.

“He’s having a very good season. And that’s it,” Amorim said in his post-match press conference.

“We have to be careful with the young kids. It was a really good job today. He has a lot to improve. But this game is in the past. We need to prepare for the future. Life in football is like that.

“He did a great job. It’s a great moment for a young kid to score a hat-trick for a team like this. But he needs to focus on the next game because it’s already in the past and get ready for the next game.”

Amorim is clearly keen to keep the hype around Amad under control. This is likely due to the difficulty of the broader task before him. But for United supporters – enduring another challenging season – it is hard not to be excited about the potential of this rising star.

Analysis: Emad advances again

Adam Butt from Sky Sports at Old Trafford:

“Tactically, United were held back against Southampton. Lenny Euro was unmasked by Kamaluddin Slimana, and the pressing – against a side known for being error-prone in defence – was uncoordinated throughout, and there was a hesitation in the team’s play that was worrying.

“Some of these players are still uncomfortable with what Amorim is asking them to do, and the coach himself admits that the demands are a complete reversal of what they have been taught. Some may be inadequate to what is required.”

“But in these circumstances, you learn more about players and people. Imad stepped up again. As he did when he scored the winner away to Manchester City. And as he did when he scored the equalizer at Liverpool recently. Here, it was a hat-trick to turn everything around.

“He didn’t wait for it to happen, he made it happen. The first goal was scored at the second time of asking. The second goal came through a clever move inside the penalty area, hoping to be found. The third goal came from a gamble on a defender who controlled the ball incorrectly.

“He did so as the nominal full-back in the Amorim system, moving there to cover the absence of the suspended Diogo Dalot. How his coach would love it if everyone in his team could face the challenges – mental and tactical – as he has this season.”

Analysis: Extending Amad’s deal is the best transfer deal for Manchester United

Anton Toloy from Sky Sports News at Old Trafford:

“Much of the talk this transfer window has been about the futures of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobe Maino, but securing Amad with a new contract looks like the best thing Manchester United will do.

“They needed someone to step up, take risks, get forward and take the game away from their opponents – and the Ivorian did just that.

“Maino was taken off early, Jarnacho missed key chances, Rashford was nowhere to be seen but Amad stepped up.”

Amorim: We have a lot to do

While Amad’s heroics saved United from their embarrassment, Amorim is in no doubt of the magnitude of the task that lies before him.

“The feeling is we have a lot to do,” he said. TNT Sports After the match. “I felt like the team was really tired – Liverpool and Arsenal 120 minutes, it’s not just the physical part, it’s the mental part for the players. So it was a win, let’s keep going.”

He also pointed out the pressure his players feel while playing in front of their home fans. United have lost their last three games at Old Trafford – the club has not suffered four successive home defeats since 1934. Another problem was the team’s struggle to press cohesively as a unit as Southampton took the lead at half-time.

He said: “Playing in this stadium. We lost the last three matches here. The pressure is different.” “We try to put pressure on the opponent in the build-up and you can feel the difficulty. Then they connect the lines and create a lot of problems for us.

“We have difficulties with high pressing at the moment. This team is not used to doing that and then it feels like they lack enthusiasm. (Manuel) Ugarte is late, Kobe Maino is late, Bruno (Fernandez) is out and the team is falling behind.” The ball is in, then one transition and Lenny Euro cannot catch Sulaymana.

“It’s little things and then we get nervous without the ball. But then when you have one goal and one chance, you feel the team can control the game better.

“I want to be fair to my players. Today was not a lack of enthusiasm. It was a lack of speed and sometimes a lack of control of the game.”