Man Utd star was ahead of Amad, but then Ten Hag sold him for just £15m

Over the years, Manchester United have made some questionable decisions in the transfer market, many of which have led to the current cost-cutting operating in place at Old Trafford.

Huge money has been splashed by various managers over the years, with the majority of funds being wasted on players who simply aren’t at the level of the Premier League.

Casemiro cost a mammoth £70m back in the summer of 2022, earning £350k-per-week, the highest of any player within the current first-team squad.

The Brazilian pockets £18.2m per season in the North West, a bonkers fee, with the hierarchy needing to part ways with the 33-year-old this summer to prevent losing any further cash.

However, in a time when many deals have been unsuccessful, the club have made a few superb additions, including one player who’s had to bide his time with the Red Devils.

Amad Diallo’s stats at Man Utd

Back in January 2021, United completed a £36m deal to land winger Amad Diallo from Italian side Atalanta, with the fee a huge one given his tender age of just 18.

However, he would make an immediate impact, scoring in the Europa League against AC Milan, but would be sent on multiple loans to gain valuable first-team minutes to continue his development.

The Ivorian linked up with Rangers and Sunderland, notching 14 goals throughout 2022/23

whilst with the Black Cats, often being known for scoring a screamer or two.

Despite returning to the club last season, this year has been his breakthrough year, notching nine goals and seven assists across all competitions, most of which have come under Ruben Amorim.

However, despite his impressive form at Old Trafford to date, the club made a huge mistake offloading a player who was once ahead of the youngster in the pecking order – thriving away from Manchester as a result.

The United star who was ahead of Amad but was sold by Ten Hag

Despite Amad’s progress at United over the last few months, the club have certainly made some huge calls they could live to regret, selling players on the cheap who have gone on to star elsewhere.

Angel Gomes is a player who springs to mind, spending the majority of his youth years at Old Trafford, before departing on a free transfer in the summer of 2020 – now being a full England international – showcasing the mistake the club made in allowing him to leave.

However, they made a similar mistake, allowing Anthony Elanga to depart in the summer of 2023, leaving in a £15m deal to join Nottingham Forest, ending his seven-year spell in the North West.

The Swedish international made 55 appearances for the club’s first-team, often featuring in the senior ranks whilst Amad spent his respective spells out on loan.

Elanga, who has previously been labelled “phenomenal” by journalist Zach Lowy, even scored in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid during the 2021/22 season – showcasing his importance to the first-team.

However, after just five starts in the Premier League throughout 2022/23, Erik ten Hag would offload him, a decision that would be a huge mistake given his form this season.

The 22-year-old has notched five goals and nine assists across all competitions this campaign, including a double against Ipswich Town in his last outing – netting the first double of his professional career.

He’s also managed to outperform Amad in numerous key areas throughout the year, showcasing the development he’s made under Nuno Espírito Santo at the City Ground.

His lack of action during his final year in Manchester ultimately led to Ten Hag offloading him, with the winger needing valuable minutes to continue his progression.

You can’t blame the Swede for wanting to move on to take his career to the next level, but now he’s done just that, many around the club must wish he had stayed with the Red Devils, offering Amorim another dimension within the club’s forward line.