His link-up with Rashford proved pivotal to the win after United shook off a tricky opening 30 minutes. Amad is putting his hand up and proving difficult to ignore, but his real test will come away to Arsenal next.
“He is really big in talent, but small in size,” Amorim gushed after defeating Everton. “He did a great job but he is also has to improve. He is (in) a great moment. Ruud van Nistelrooy helped him a lot in his games in charge and now he’s helping me.”
Such praise is a far cry from Erik ten Hag’s treatment of Amad. He struggled to gain the trust of his former head coach, despite impressive cameos, and even Omari Forson was preferred to United’s newest star in February against Fulham before joining Monza on a free transfer.
Amad began the season in the starting lineup and scored in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, before being dropped for the next match.
Restored to the XI against Southampton in September, he set up a goal for Rashford, but once again was told to take up a place on the bench as other options have been preferred.
Ten Hag had the likes of Jadon Sancho, Antony, Facundo Pellistri and Forson all ahead of Amad in the pecking order at United, failing to get the best out of a star-in-waiting.
Van Nistelrooy quickly rectified that mistake, coming off the bench in the first two games under the interim head coach and then starting against PAOK in the Europa League, where he scored a scintillating brace.
He kept his place for the following 3-0 win over Leicester, a stark contrast to how he was treated by Ten Hag.
And Amorim has followed in Van Nistelrooy’s footsteps, keeping faith with Amad which has been repaid in both of the new boss’ first league games.
He is flourishing in a new role and system, making a mockery of the lack of involvement under his previous coach, with Amorim reaping the benefits.
