Rúben Amorim will be left delighted after seeing how one of his key players has improved this season with a much-needed comeback.
Manchester United earned a hard-fought point against Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Casemiro and Amad to draw 2-2 at the City Ground.
Bruno Fernandes whipped in a brilliant ball from a corner for the Brazilian midfielder to take the lead for the Red Devils with a well-drilled header past Matz Sels.
In the second half, Forest came out all guns blazing and pegged United back. They were rewarded with an equaliser from Morgan Gibbs-White, who scored with a bullet header of his own.
Sean Dyche’s men capitalised on United’s lack of awareness even further and scored another just 39 seconds later. Nicolò Savona found himself alone in the box and was able to poke the ball past Senne Lammens to take the lead and make it 2-1.
Late on, Amad rescued a point for the away side after scoring a spectacular first-time volley outside of the box to make it 2-2 and spared the blushes of Ruben Amorim.
Amad’s comeback
The Ivorian had a tough start to the season as he adjusted to his new role at right wing-back and forming a partnership with Bryan Mbeumo.
However, recently, Amad has been playing with a new lease of life. After getting his second assist of the season against Liverpool, his winner today marked his first goal of the campaign too.
Going forward is where he has excelled. He ranks in the 99th percentile for all full-backs/wing-backs in the Premier League for progressive carries and shot-creating actions. This showed in the match as he registered three shots on target and made five passes into the final third despite United being under the cosh for a large part of the game.
Defensively, he can still improve, as he only completed 2/7 ground duels today, showing that when play is towards his own goal, there are still some frailties that need to be ironed out in future.
Wing-back depth is needed
While it is a major positive that Amad is finding form again, with Afcon approaching, it is time to start thinking about who will deputise.
The obvious decision would be to go with Diogo Dalot. However, the Portuguese international has been struggling with form of late, and this was emphasised again as he switched off for Savona’s goal.
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Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu has on occasion played on the right for the club and for his former club, Lecce, but he is another player who is searching for his best form on his more natural left side, so moving him to the right would be another risk.
Perhaps the club may need to think about a short-term loan in January to shore up the wing-back areas and add more competition for players instead of relying on playing players into form.
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