Ruben Amorim’s persistence with Amad at wing-back could repeat his formula with ‘very talented’ Sporting star
Ruben Amorim’s approach with Amad Diallo could mirror the Manchester United manager’s feelings that he had with one Sporting CP star under his reign.
Amad Diallo has predominantly found himself playing as a right wing-back under Ruben Amorim in the Manchester United manager’s tactical system this season.
The 23-year-old Ivorian has played as a right-sided No 10 for Amorim before, but Bryan Mbeumo’s summer arrival has solidified his place in that role for the side.
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Amad has linked up well with Bryan Mbeumo on the right side of the pitch and the pair have shown the impressive ways that they can complement one another.
However, the Ivory Coast international’s position change has raised eyebrows, especially over Amad’s vulnerabilities on the defensive side as a wing-back.
Amad was deeply exposed with his defensive duties in United’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, despite scoring a sensational equaliser at City Ground.
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Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
Is Ruben Amorim trying to make Amad Diallo Man Utd’s answer to Sporting CP star Geovany Quenda?
Before he replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout in the 2024-25 campaign, Ruben Amorim’s stock value as a manager soared at Sporting CP.
The 40-year-old Portuguese coach made his name in his native homeland and Amorim led Sporting to three Primeira Liga titles and two Portuguese League Cups.
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During his time at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Amorim saw the emergence of the talented Geovany Quenda from the Primeira Liga outfit’s youth academy.
Geovany Quenda was built to play on the right wing – similar to Amad Diallo – but the 18-year-old Portuguese player underwent a position change under Amorim.
The Sporting talent, who will sign for Chelsea next summer, was shifted from the right wing to a right wing-back role in Amorim’s tactical system.
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ESPN said that Quenda was the “case in point” of Amorim modifying wingers into wing-backs and explained there was a “key” reason for the change that was made.
“Up front, he favours something akin to a ‘double No 10’ to tuck in behind the central striker in order to invite combinations with his attacking wing-backs,” Tor-Kristian Karlsen wrote for ESPN in 2024.
“The key, however, is to create movement and space around this striker, who tends to operate very centrally.”
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Geovany Quenda is the blueprint that Ruben Amorim could be following for Amad Diallo as Man Utd’s right wing-back
Geovany Quenda’s emergence at Sporting CP not only saw Chelsea agree to sign him for £40m back in March, but the wing-back earned high praise from Amorim.
“He is very talented, very mature and understands the game like an adult,” Amorim told Sporting TV in 2024, as per Goal in 2025.
“Obviously, he still has a lot to improve, but I think he played an excellent game and we have a great player there.”
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Amorim had been able to make the immediate changes to Quenda’s playing style, with his tactical system flowing in full effect and the player still being early in his career.
The United manager will need more time with Amad to shape him into a Quenda-esque player for the Red Devils, all the while getting his system working at United.
Quenda’s role in Sporting’s system under Amorim was to provide a dynamic flair from the wing-back role while the No 10s supported the lone striker in attack.
It could only be a matter of time before Amad is able to do the same for the Red Devils and the winger becomes more vigilant of his defensive duties as well.
