RED CARD CELEBRATED: Amad Diallo was quickly forgiven after receiving a red card – he had just decided the match against Liverpool in the 120th minute. Photo: ADAM VAUGHAN / EPA / NTB
(Manchester United – Liverpool, 4–3 after extra time) Amad Diallo (21) able to having had his Manchester United career saved by a nasty knee injury this summer.
We report from Manchester, England on Monday March 18 at 03:02
– I am so happy for him. He has a bad setback this season, with a bad injury. The road back in this team is long, says United manager Erik ten Hag.
He has gathered himself after the somewhat absurd 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals. At the press conference almost an hour after the match, he is full of praise for the match winner.
Diallo came on and became the match winner in the 120th minute. And then he was sent off, then, because he forgot he had a yellow card and took off his shirt.
– It was the best goal of my life. A very important moment, says Diallo to ITV.
Importantly, there is no doubt that it was:
The score may have gone a long way to saving United’s season. They face Coventry in the semi-final at Wembley and are big favorites to reach the final of the FA Cup.
It may also have saved match-winner Diallo’s long-term career at the club.
In this summer’s training match against Arsenal, he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for almost half the season. Absurdly, it may have given him one last chance at Old Trafford.
Manchester Evening News wrote in December that the club was ready to clear the Ivorian this summer, but that the injury put an end to that. Thus, the injury gave Diallo a last chance.
And now the opportunity is suddenly open to the 21-year-old again.
– He doesn’t always get the playing time he deserves. Today he decides the game, and it is very pleasing to see. I am very happy with him, says ten Hag.
Jürgen Klopp was not satisfied after the game:
Marcus Rashford is into much of the same.
– He has worked hard and maybe didn’t get the chances he wanted, he says to ITV.
And suddenly Diallo is being singled out as one of those who show that Manchester United’s future is bright.
– We have a team for the future. On the way up are players who are developing very well, such as Diallo, (Alejandro) Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, says Erik ten Hag.