Amad's heroics secured a stunning Man Utd win against Manchester City in December, but he could be on the bench on Sunday.
Amad was United's hero in the last Manchester derby.(Image: 2024 Visionhaus)
Amad turned the Manchester derby on its head in the space of just a few minutes in December.
Manchester United were trailing 1-0 with three minutes of the 90 remaining. Amad intelligently won a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes converted, and he scored a winner almost immediately after the restart.
"You're getting sacked in the morning," came from the Etihad away section. Amad was pushed towards the travelling fans by his teammates at full-time and he kissed the badge on the shirt.
Fernandes told Sky Sports: "He has been doing well, he has been doing great things and there is still a lot to come from him. He showed again today he is always alive, that is why he gets the penalty and why he gets the goal. He has been brilliant, when he is like this he is unstoppable.”
It felt like Amad's coming-of-age moment. The 23-year-old single-handedly inspired a spectacular comeback victory against City at the Etihad, and he built on that display by scoring an equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield and a hat-trick against Southampton in the next month.
Amad was in contention to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. Fernandes described him as "unstoppable", which is why he had earned undroppable status in the dressing room.
It has been just nine months since Amad's heroics in the Manchester derby, two of which were pre-season, and it's possible he will be benched for United's clash with City on Sunday.
Amad and Fernandes were the only players to start in each pre-season friendly this summer, which reflected their importance, but Amad was named on the bench for the opening Premier League game.
Ruben Amorim introduced Amad in the second half against Arsenal. Amad subsequently started at right-wing back against Fulham at Craven Cottage, but he was replaced in the 52nd minute.
Amad played his first full 90 minutes of the season against Burnley before the international break and he won the penalty in added time to win the game. Amad performed much better against Burnley, but Amorim may feel it's best to start him on the bench against City for tactical reasons.
Amorim predominantly used Amad at right-wing back throughout pre-season. The role wasn't new to him, as he sometimes played in that position last term, but there are doubts about whether he is effective there.
There have been teething issues with his partnership with Bryan Mbeumo down the right, and there are question marks about Amad's defensive qualities.
It wasn't a surprise to see Amad hooked at Craven Cottage last month and he was poor against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup (he was relocated to the right side No.10 role at Blundell Park).
All the evidence from the opening few weeks will play into Amorim's dilemma for the derby: should he play Amad at right wing-back or go with the tried-and-tested option in that role?
Patrick Dorgu is likely to start on the left, leaving Amad and Diogo Dalot as the options for the right. Dalot withdrew from Portugal's squad during the international break with a minor muscle injury, but he is practically always available and it would be a surprise to see him fail a fitness test to be involved.
Dorgu and Dalot were selected to start against Arsenal on the opening day of the season. Amorim went with the pragmatic option, Dalot, instead of selecting Amad, who is more attack-minded down the right.
The decision will be taken out of Amorim's hands if Dalot is ruled out of the derby, but Amorim has often adopted for a risk-adverse approach against 'better' opposition, which suggests Dalot might get the nod.
It would be a blow for Amad to miss out on starting at the Etihad, the scene of one of his finest moments in his United career. However, he may have to settle for a role from the bench.
That could also be in Amorim's thinking ahead of Sunday. Amad's fresh legs from the bench could have a game-changing impact, and he is an excellent option considering he would start for most top-flight teams.
Amad would be disappointed to be named on the bench, but Amorim might feel it's for the best.