I think it’s time we had a proper conversation about Amad.
Now, before anyone thinks 'what the hell is this guy talking about?', let me say this clearly — I like him. I really do. There are very few players in this current United side who genuinely get me on the edge of my seat. Amad is one of them. He has that sharpness, that bravery in tight spaces, and that little bit of unpredictability that makes you sit forward slightly because you feel something might happen.
On top of that, he carries himself the right way. On the pitch, he’s professional, disciplined, and willing to work. Off it, he’s got that slightly goofy personality which, if anything, makes him more likeable. At just 23-years-old, you look at him and think his best years should still be ahead of him, and ideally, those years will be spent here.
But, and there is a but, that edge-of-the-seat feeling? I’m not getting it as consistently anymore.
This isn’t me saying he’s suddenly shite, or that I’ve turned on him, or that he needs shipping off in the summer. No, nothing like that. It’s simply that, at this moment I feel he needs to be doing more.
So the question becomes: what do we actually expect from him?
He’s a right-sided forward with pace, close control, and the ability to beat a man. Naturally, when you profile a player like that, you think creativity, chance creation, goals, assists — the tangible outputs that decide games. And while those attributes are still there in flashes, they feel somewhat diluted recently, almost like they’re present but not fully expressing themselves.
When in tight games like Everton and West Ham, I don't get the feeling that he will be the game-changer, the difference-maker. We're finding that it's his teammates who are more likely to make things happen than him.
In 22 matches, Amad has just the 2 goals and 3 assists. None of which has come under Michael Carrick and the 4-2-3-1 formation, which I believe suits him better because he is more of a wide forward rather than a wing-back.
I guess that that's ironic because in the 3-4-3, in 15 matches, he had these 5 g/a.
That contrast raises a fair question. Is it the system? Is it confidence? Or is it simply that he hasn’t quite imposed himself enough?
There’s also the structural element to consider.
United are very right-side heavy. That is Amad's side. And with Mbeumo operating more as the striker or sometimes off the left, the creative burden on that flank can fall squarely on Amad’s shoulders. Plus he doesn't get much help from overlapping runs from Dalot because, well, it's Dalot.
Maybe this weight is getting to him?
In tight matches like Everton and West Ham, I haven’t had that strong sense that he would be the one to tilt the balance, and more often than not, it has been others stepping up in decisive moments.
In fact, when Sesko was introduced recently and Mbeumo shifted to the right, he immediately delivered 2 assists from that position, directly influencing the result. In our last match, Amad was withdrawn before the hour mark, Mbeumo took over on the right, and the dynamic noticeably changed. That doesn’t automatically mean Amad is the problem, but it does add another layer to the conversation.
And perhaps, just perhaps, the fact that players like Mbeumo, Bruno, Sesko and Cunha have been producing has allowed Amad’s quieter spell to go somewhat under the radar. When others are delivering, scrutiny softens.
None of this is a call to drop him permanently, nor is it a dramatic overreaction to a dip in form. It’s simply an acknowledgement that for a player of his talent and profile, the standards are rising, and eventually performances need to translate into decisive contributions.
Talent excites you.
But output wins you games.
And right now, that’s the balance Amad needs to rediscover.
I think we all know it’s time for Sesko to start. He’s been playing too well for him to remain on the bench much longer.
And when someone new comes in, someone else has to make way.
Bruno isn’t getting benched. He’s the captain, the emotional driver of the side, and whether you like it or not, we look shite when he isn’t on the pitch. Even on days when he’s frustrating, he’s still involved.
Mbeumo? He’s been too consistent. He works relentlessly, he produces regularly, and with 10 goals to his name, he’s currently our top scorer. You don’t take that out of the team lightly.
Cunha has quietly been coming to the party in recent months as well. He may not be a natural left-winger, but he has that bit of x-factor about him and if we’re being honest, even someone like Amad hasn’t quite shown that same spark lately. That pass Cunha played before Mbeumo’s assist on Monday night? That was the real key to the goal. And beyond the technical quality, there’s a bit of shithousery in his game that we frankly lack at times. It’s irritating for opponents and brilliant for us.
Which brings us to the uncomfortable part.
That leaves Amad.
Fans were already calling for him to be benched before the Everton game to accommodate Sesko, and while I initially felt Cunha might have been the one to drop given how effective he has been off the bench, when Carrick took Amad off around the hour mark, I agreed with it. On the night, he was probably the quietest of the front line — and that’s saying something because none of them were particularly electric.
Now, being benched doesn’t mean the end. It doesn’t mean failure. In fact, it could be exactly what he needs - the kick up the arse. Sometimes a player benefits from that small jolt, that reminder that places aren’t guaranteed.
There’s also an argument that he could be the perfect impact substitute.
We’ve had several matches this season where we’ve looked flat and needed something different from the bench to tilt the game. We’ve seen how that role has suited Sesko, who has thrived attacking tired legs and chaotic moments. There’s no reason that can’t apply to Amad as well. Coming on in the final 20–30 minutes, when defenders are fatigued and spaces begin to open up, feels tailor-made for a player with his close control and creativity.
If he can rediscover his output in those moments, that could be the key to getting him fully back on track.
It’s also worth noting just how much football he’s played. Since Erik ten Hag’s departure in October 2024, Amad has started 36 of 40 league matches, only missing time due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for 10 games. For a 23-year-old, that’s a heavy load. Perhaps the over-reliance has quietly caught up with him.
And none of this means I’d be upset if he started against Palace. He’s still a good player. His work rate is strong, his energy is there, and structurally he does a lot right. If he begins adding consistent output again, this conversation disappears entirely.
But at this moment, compared to the rest of the front line, he feels like the outlier.
So what do you think? Is it time for Amad to step out of the starting XI for a bit, or should he be given more time to rediscover that edge?
Amad | Creator: Matt McNulty | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Goal