Manchester United star Amad Diallo
The 22-year-old helped United claim a derby day victory over Manchester City on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
The Ivorian won an 86th minute penalty before scoring the winner in stoppage time.
“For me, the lad that has really brightened us up this season is Amad,” McIlroy told [SportsBoom.com](http://SportsBoom.com).
“He’s such a special talent.
“I watched him in pre-season and was very, very impressed, I think he’s been one of our best players. He’s been consistent since pre-season.
“I watched him against Rangers and he was our best attacker and, ever since he’s been in the team, I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen.
“He just looks like a Manchester United player. He loves to get wide and get at people, he produces, he scores and he’s very direct. That’s what Utd fans want to see.
“It makes it even sweeter that he’s come through the ranks at the club, that’s brilliant.
“He plays with freedom and is fearless, it’s great to see. He’s playing the way you’d want a young boy to come into the team, full of confidence and playing with so much freedom.
“He knows what he’s good at, the first thing in his mind is ‘let’s get at the defenders’.
“I think he’s done that brilliantly this season, especially with his assists and the odd goal here and there.
“He deserved to win the man-of-the-match award, without a doubt, he made such a great impact. It had such an impact in his first derby.”
Victory for United was a welcome confidence boost ahead of a mouthwatering Carabao Cup quarter-final away clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.
“To be totally honest it wasn’t the greatest Manchester derby I’ve ever watched in my life, especially for quality,” admitted McIlroy.
“But the result was the most important thing. For the supporters and the new manager, it’s a great result. It’s massive.
“Beating City at the Ethiad is a big result, even know they’re playing so bad at the moment.
“In my day winning the derby probably meant more, but you want to win for the supporters.
“The supporters will love that result, especially with City having won four Premier League titles on the bounce.
“OK, everyone knows they’re struggling at the minute, but you’re still got to go to the Ethiad and win the game.
“And the way we won it, so late in the game where there’s no comeback, was even sweeter.
“But Amorim knows that we’re going to have to play a hell of a lot better, and consistently better, to progress where he wants us to be."