Manchester United youngster Amad was the first to emerge from the dressing room to speak to a handful of journalists after the special win over Liverpool last weekend.
He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he attempted to explain what had just happened. “It was an unbelievable day for me,” he said. “I want to celebrate this moment with my family and the fans, who supported us all game. I think today was one of the best games for United.
“I scored a last-minute goal against Liverpool. It was an unbelievable moment for me. It is very special because it was my dream to play for United. I was in Sunderland last season and I waited for my chance. To score my second goal for United was very important for me.”
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Amad is still only 21 and despite his English being limited, he was able to express how he felt through his words and through the beaming, wide smile etched across his face.
He made an immediate impact when coming on from the bench with five minutes of normal time remaining and he produced a winning goal that will be remembered forever.
Although it seemed like the move was about to fizzle out due to Alejandro Garnacho’s slightly overhit pass, Amad scored with an excellent finish and found the bottom right corner.
He’d already been shown a yellow goal and received a second booking when removing his shirt in the celebrations, which meant he was sent off and forced into the dressing room.
Amad must have received the best reception for a sent-off player in Old Trafford history as he left the pitch. “I forgot the first yellow,” he smiled when asked about the red card.
The winger was informed in the January transfer window he would be kept around the first-team squad this season and Sunday’s substitute appearance was the chance he’d been waiting for.
Before the Liverpool game, Amad had played just over 60 minutes in cameo appearances against Nottingham Forest (twice) and Fulham and he’d been overlooked in other fixtures.
He was an unused substitute in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Newport County in January and he’s been forced to watch on as others, like Omari Forson, have been given opportunities, but he grabbed his chance against Liverpool with both hands and it could be his turning point.
When asked whether it’s been difficult to watch games from the bench, he diplomatically said: “I train hard every day and waited for my chance. The manager believes in me.
“I am on the bench but every time I am ready to come in and fight. If I score for the team then I am very happy. He [Ten Hag] gives me a lot of confidence and I want to continue like this.
“I wait for my chance and, for me, every game is like a Champions League final. Whether I start or I am on the bench, it is important for me to be ready every time.”
Amad deleted United from his social media accounts a few days before facing Liverpool but kept posts involving Sunderland, who he spent a successful 12-month loan spell with.
He later clarified his social media clean-up by suggesting he wanted to focus on Ramadan, however, many fans believed it was evidence of his frustration over a lack of minutes.
It would be concerning if Amad wasn’t frustrated over his lack of game time and it’s hoped now he will be considered a serious option to influence matches from the bench, at least.
Since Amad’s return from injury in December, he’s been an unused substitute six times in the league and supporters have been desperate to see more of him.
While Amad’s loan with Sunderland was a resounding success, his ceiling remains unknown and he can provide something different in wide areas, or even play down the middle.
Amad said Ten Hag ‘believes in him’ and fans want to see more proof of that from now until the end of the season.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
