Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy believes a prolonged spell on the bench provided motivation for Manchester United’s two-goal Europa League hero Amad Diallo.
Amad had been named as a substitute in six consecutive matches before starting against Greek side PAOK at Old Trafford.
In Van Nistelrooy’s words, the 22-year-old responded by being “our best player in the first half”, before “winning the game for us in the second”.
Asked if being a substitute so many times had been a motivating factor, Van Nistelrooy replied: “Apparently so.”
The Ivory Coast international was by far United’s biggest threat against limited opposition – he was prepared to run at the PAOK defense and continued to do so, even when there was no immediate reward.
Van Nistelrooy accepted a first half in which United made “many technical errors” and a shot on goal “wasn’t good”, but Amad made the difference after the break.
“The second goal had everything Diallo is about,” Van Nistelrooy said. “He struggled to get the ball away from the defender, then pushed to shoot and had the quality to bend it around the goalkeeper.
“He is a great character and a great worker. He shows that attitude in every training session. Every day he comes to me and wants to do extra shots, crosses, one-on-ones. He asks me how I can improve his shot and his header.
“He is constantly focused on learning and improving. He is motivated to make the most of his career.”
Amad’s current contract expires next June, although United have the option to extend it for a further year.
Next week he will have a new boss to impress: Rubén Amorim will take charge.
Van Nistelrooy said he would have to “check his phone” to see if he had received any messages from the Portuguese although, for now, he seems happy that both parties are concentrating on their current clubs.
“I think Rubén focuses on [Sporting at] Braga and I focus on Leicester [in the Premier League on Sunday]”, said.
