Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has been granted compassionate leave following the death of a close family member, with head coach Ruben Amorim confirming the Ivorian will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash away to Brentford.
The 22-year-old, who has featured in all six of United’s matches so far this season, has been given “all the time he needs” by the club. Amorim said football was “not important” in the face of personal tragedy and emphasised the support structure in place for the winger.
“Amad is going through a very difficult moment and our job is to support him,” Amorim told reporters at Carrington on Thursday. “We are giving him space and reminding him that the next game is not important compared to family. We want to win for him, but most of all we want him to feel supported.”
A Key Figure This Season
Amad has become an integral part of Amorim’s tactical system, deployed either in one of the two number 10 positions or as a right wing-back. His energy, creativity and pressing intensity have impressed in the early stages of the campaign, with five starts from six matches and a single substitute appearance.
Since his breakthrough at Old Trafford, Amad has accumulated 70 appearances and scored 14 goals. His development, however, has not been without scrutiny.
Last weekend, he was the subject of online criticism from sections of the United fanbase after being spotted warmly interacting with former teammate Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentina international, who left Old Trafford under a cloud after a public falling-out with club management, was back at Old Trafford with Chelsea. United won the match, but the post-match scenes provoked reaction online.
Amad responded by deleting all his posts on both Instagram and X, an act Amorim said illustrated the modern footballer’s challenge of navigating social media.
“I always tell my players: shut down social media,” Amorim remarked. “It is part of football today and it has consequences. But real life is what matters — family, teammates, friends. That’s what we are focusing on for Amad.”
Squad Updates for Brentford Trip
United’s preparations for the Brentford fixture have also been hit by the absence of Noussair Mazraoui. The Morocco international defender, signed in the summer to provide versatility across the back line, has sustained a minor muscle problem and will not return until mid-October.
Amorim, though, can welcome back Bryan Mbeumo, who is set to return to his old ground in west London for the first time since his summer move to United. The striker’s transfer was finalised after lengthy negotiations, and Saturday’s fixture is likely to carry emotional weight for the Cameroon international.
Victory over Brentford would mark Amorim’s first sequence of back-to-back Premier League wins in a reign that now stands just six games short of a full season. Despite flashes of promise, inconsistency has plagued United under the Portuguese coach.
Fans Still Cautious
Supporters remain sceptical about the team’s ability to deliver the sustained form required for Champions League qualification. Amorim admitted he understands the unease.
“It’s normal the fans feel uncertain,” he said. “Even I, as the manager, can have an idea but not know what the game will bring. The way to change that is simple — approach every match like it’s the last, play with intensity, and build trust again step by step.”
United’s inconsistency has left them hovering around the European places without establishing themselves as firm challengers. The absence of Amad, combined with the disruption caused by Mazraoui’s injury, offers yet another test of the squad’s resilience.
For Amorim, the challenge goes beyond tactics. Balancing the human element of his squad, ensuring players feel supported off the pitch, and finding the formula for consistency on it will define United’s season.
As he put it simply: “We can win without Amad, but we also want to win for him.”
