Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has defended Amad Diallo and insists the winger is playing well, even though he has not registered a goal or an assist in 2026.
The Ivory Coast international was one of the players who benefited from Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford.
Used as either a wing-back or in one of the number 10 roles, Amad scored 11 goals and claimed 10 assists last season, with 18 of his contributions coming after the former Sporting boss' arrival in November 2024.
Amad scored once and created three more goals in the opening 10 games of this season, but since scoring in Manchester United’s 4-4 thriller with Bournemouth, immediately before he left for the Africa Cup of Nations, the 23-year-old has drawn a complete blank.
He was substituted off at half-time against Brentford, as Carrick tried to find a way to stop the left-sided raids of Bees full-back Keane Lewis-Potter.
But, before that, he had wasted a glorious chance after being teed up by team-mate Kobbie Mainoo, who charged into the box with a brilliant run that took him past three Brentford defenders.
Nevertheless, Carrick is adamant the treatment was not a reflection of Amad's form.
"I actually think he is playing well," he explained. "There is an awful lot more in the game, playing in a winning team like he has, to worry about numbers.
"He gives the team so much. He has got so much talent. His work ethic and attitude is fantastic. He has played different roles at times. I'm a big fan.
"It was unfortunate we had to change things tactically the other night, because that was purely why he came off.
"But he has given this team an awful lot. It is about the underbelly of what goes into a performance and not always what the headline grabs."
