Manchester United are preparing for what could be the most pivotal clash of their season as they gear up to face Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final this Thursday. With the pressure mounting on the squad and their manager, Rúben Amorim, the team has received a timely piece of positive news: Amad Diallo has made a return to full training after a lengthy injury absence.
Despite showing some signs of improvement in recent weeks, United’s season has largely fallen short of expectations. After 34 rounds of Premier League action, the Red Devils find themselves in an uncharacteristically low 14th position in the standings. The team has managed just 10 wins, with nine games ending in draws, and their erratic performances have caused widespread disappointment among the fanbase. A concerning goal difference of -8 underlines the squad’s inefficiency, particularly in front of goal. Although there have been games—like the recent 1-1 draw against Bournemouth—where the team created more chances and posted higher expected goals, United have consistently failed to convert these opportunities into victories. Additionally, the growing list of injuries has further hampered their progress.
One of the most notable absentees during this difficult stretch has been Amad Diallo. The promising winger from Ivory Coast has been out of action since February due to an ankle injury, which initially looked severe enough to sideline him for the remainder of the campaign. His creativity, pace, and ability to unlock defences have been sorely missed as United struggled to generate consistent attacking output. However, in a much-needed boost ahead of the high-stakes trip to Bilbao, Amad has returned to first-team training and could be in contention for the match. His recovery has been received with great enthusiasm by the supporters, who view his return as a potential turning point in an otherwise frustrating season.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt has also resumed training after overcoming a muscular issue. Though his return strengthens the defensive unit, it is Amad Diallo’s availability that has generated the most excitement among fans and pundits alike. With the Europa League now representing the team’s best chance at salvaging something from this turbulent season, Amorim will be hoping that Amad’s reintroduction can inject some much-needed spark and confidence into the side as they head into what may be their most crucial 90 minutes of the campaign.
