Amad has gone 794 minutes under Michael Carrick without a goal or assist, even though the Manchester United forward has been pushed into a more advanced role since the coaching change at Old Trafford. The last time he scored was the opening goal in the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on December 15, and a day later he left for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
When Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, he shifted United from a 3-4-2-1 to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 and asked Amad to play higher up the pitch. That has not yet produced a direct return, but it has kept him in the side: he has started nine of Carrick’s 12 games in charge.
The numbers show why United have kept leaning on him. Before the managerial change, Amad had two goals and two assists this season, a steep drop from the eight goals and six assists he delivered in the Premier League last season. His defensive work has increased, too, with 15 interceptions this term compared with 11 last season.
Both of his assists this campaign have gone to Bryan Mbeumo. One came from a pass for Mbeumo in a 2-1 win against Liverpool in October. The other was a cross for the first goal in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in November. Carrick started Mbeumo on the right-hand side and Benjamin Sesko up front against Chelsea last weekend, another sign that United’s attacking shape is still being refined.
That is where the tension lies for Amad. Carrick’s staff value his work rate as he adjusts after a year in a different role, and the system around him is still taking shape. If United qualify for the Champions League, the club may need to rotate forwards next season. Whether the next coach is Carrick for the long term or someone else after another change, Amad’s place in the attack looks set to remain one of the clearest tests of how United want to build around him.
