Michael Carrick finally unleashed Benjamin Sesko vs Crystal Palace, with Amad making way, but what the Ivorian provides to Man Utd was clear in his absence despite Sesko scoring.
The team selection call Man Utd fans had been clamouring for all this time was finally taken by Michael Carrick, picking Benjamin Sesko for his first start under him.
Sesko repaid that faith by scoring another winner, adding to the list, which already contains goals against Fulham and Everton, with an equaliser against West Ham.
Amad became the odd one out, taking Sesko’s role of being a spark plug off the bench, and despite the Slovenian’s goal, Carrick knows now what Amad provides that nobody else can.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
WHO was your Man of the Match as United beat Palace 2-1?🤔
Some great performances today!
Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes (L) congratulates Manchester United's Slovenian striker #30 Benjamin Sesko
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Amad’s value to Man Utd clear in his absence
Amad returned to his favoured right-wing spot under Michael Carrick, but he had been struggling with raw output for the last few games.
In contrast, Sesko kept coming off the bench to score.
Combine that with Matheus Cunha’s form, Bruno Fernandes’ undroppable status, and Bryan Mbeumo’s dependable goalscoring, Amad was always going to be the one to make way for Sesko.
More United News
After a dire first half against Palace, Carrick could be forgiven for thinking that he should have started Amad regardless.
Despite not scoring or assisting recently, Amad’s value to the team lies in his direct running with the ball, while his two-footedness adds unpredictability out wide.
With Cunha and Mbeumo, United fielded two inside forwards who made the pitch narrow and occupied the same zone as Fernandes.
It made Palace extremely comfortable in defence as all the action happened in front of them.
Our top rated Man Utd players vs Palace – What would YOU change?
Match ratings graphic
Getty Images
Amad’s ability to beat his man off the dribble also scrambles defences, which is a necessity to break down a deep block, and not a strength of either Cunha or Mbeumo, let alone Sesko.
He’s a lock-picker in a team full of door-breakers, and the value of that skill was realised only when everyone kept thumping their head at a stubbornly locked Palace door.
Sesko ultimately scored with a good-old cross and header attacking move, but United’s general level of play will give Carrick some food for thought going forward.
Amad might not be scoring or assisting right now, but his value to the team is much more than just raw stats.
He’s increasingly becoming a player whose presence might not be appreciated as much, but his absence will always be felt.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox