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Manchester United legend Gary Neville has heaped huge praise on Amad Diallo, likening his style of play to that of the club’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
This is after Amad inspired United to a brilliant 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City at the Etihad.
Josko Gvardiol gave the hosts the lead in the 36th minute, as he rose highest to head in a cross from Kevin de Bruyne.
United trained for nearly an hour and it looked like they were destined to suffer a third consecutive Premier League defeat but Amad had other ideas.
He won an extremely late penalty, which was converted by Bruno Fernandes to restore parity. 115 seconds later, Amad was at it again, this time getting on the end of an excellent ball from Lisandro Martinez and getting past Ederson before guiding it into the back of the net.
Amad seems to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Ruben Amorim’s appointment and after the final whistle, Neville lauded the player for his superb display against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Neville said on the Gary Neville podcast, “For Manchester United winning, it was just one man.”
“There were a couple of other decent performers – I thought actually Maguire, Martinez and De Ligt did quite well as a back three, they were quite solid – but there was nothing else in front of them other than Amad Diallo.”
“I called it in the first half and he was the player we featured before the game; he’s the only player who is playing with anything like the freedom and energy, enthusiasm, tenacity and belief that represents what you would expect in a Premier League footballer playing for the club.”
“The rest of them really are struggling confidence-wise and quality-wise. The club is struggling on and off the pitch at this moment in time. A lot of people hide behind the excuses, but he still plays football like he’s a kid.”
Neville added, “He has never stopped thinking of football like he’s playing on the street. Wayne Rooney was the exact same. They are street football players and they believe they should get it and beat men and attack men and take the ball and take risks and he did all the way through the game.”
“He set up the penalty through hard work, pressing and closing down and then obviously the winner will live with him forever. It’s a magical moment for him, it really is.”
Neville insisted that a draw would have perhaps been a fair result but ultimately, Amad – who deserved to be on the winning side – decided the tie with his sheer brilliance and ability.
United are back in action on Thursday when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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