Manchester United are bracing for what could be their most defining match of the season this Thursday as they get ready to face Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final. In the midst of rising pressure, manager Rúben Amorim has been handed a much-needed boost — the return of Amad Diallo to full training.
While United have shown signs of progress in recent games, the overall campaign remains underwhelming. After 34 Premier League fixtures, the Red Devils sit a lowly 14th in the table. With just 10 wins and nine draws, their inconsistent form has left fans frustrated. A troubling goal difference of -8 further reflects their lack of efficiency, particularly in the final third. Matches like the 1-1 stalemate against Bournemouth highlighted improved chance creation and higher expected goals, yet the inability to convert chances and a growing injury list have continued to derail their season.
Among those long-term absentees, Amad Diallo’s name has been one of the most painful. The talented Ivorian winger has been sidelined since February with an ankle injury, one initially feared to keep him out for the remainder of the campaign. However, he has made a timely return to first-team training ahead of the critical European showdown in Bilbao. Though Matthijs de Ligt has also rejoined training following a muscular issue, it’s Amad’s comeback that has sparked the most enthusiasm among supporters.
Earlier in the season, during a brief period of resurgence, Amad emerged as one of United’s most influential players. His creativity and flair injected life into the squad, and many believe his return comes at exactly the right time. United are starting to build some rhythm again, and Amad could be the missing piece needed to unlock defenses — especially in Europe, where Amorim has declared the competition as the club’s top priority.
Since Amorim’s arrival, Amad has racked up an impressive 15 direct goal contributions — eight goals and seven assists in 23 appearances. All of these came after the departure of Erik ten Hag, reinforcing the notion that Amad has thrived under Amorim’s tactical structure. His movement, vision, and ability to stretch defenses have made him a key figure in the Portuguese manager’s plans.
As United head to Bilbao for the first leg on May 1st, much of the attention will be on whether Amad features and how much of a role he plays. His return could provide the spark United need to turn their turbulent season around — and perhaps even carry them to a Europa League final.
