AMAD DIALLO has opened up on his close bond with Bryan Mbeumo and claimed Ruben Amorim’s arrival a year ago marked the “start” of a new era.
Amad’s thumping 81st-minute volley secured a , rescuing a crucial point after they fell behind straight after half-time.
Amad rescued United a hard-earned point with a spectacular volley against ForestCredit: Getty
Amad has been in sensational form this seasonCredit: Getty
Casemiro’s 34th-minute guided header broke the deadlock from a corner Forest were convinced should not have been awarded.
Boos echoed around the City Ground to Sean Dyche‘s disbelief.
Forest seemed to have brushed their disappointment aside by scoring a quick-fire double from Morgan Gibbs-White, 25, and Nicolo Savona, 22, which threatened a collapse.
But Amad’s thunderous strike, which extended their unbeaten run to four games, made up for his earlier weakness when being out-muscled by Gibbs-White for the equaliser in the 48th minute.
Amad’s partnership with Mbeumo has been one of the most notable aspects of United’s recent up-turn in form, although the club were denied a fourth-straight win on Saturday.
When quizzed on his connection with Mbeumo, Amad, 26, said: “I think we have a good relationship, especially because he speaks French.
“So we are trying to have that relationship, not only on the pitch but even outside the pitch, to have that connection. He’s a good guy, he’s a humble guy. He works very hard in training.
“We try our best on the right-hand side but everyone is concerned. So we want to win as a team.”
In Thursday’s press conference, Amorim, 40, admitted his side could “struggle” without Amad and Mbeumo if they go to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) next month.
Amorim said: “We will have time to suffer. We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it’s going to be an opportunity.
Amorim looks dejected after United’s winning run came to an end at Sean Dyche’s ForestCredit: Reuters
“Other players are going to have the opportunity to help us. But let’s use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general.”
Afcon takes place from December 21 to January 18, spanning United’s Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Wolves, Leeds, Burnley and Manchester City, as well as an FA Cup third-round tie.
Mbeumo’s place in the Cameroon squad is all-but confirmed, while Amad will likely make the Ivory Coast selection as the Elephants look to defend their crown in Morocco.
Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui, who was rusty after coming on in the final embers at Forest after six weeks out, is also set to miss games in that period.
Amad’s maiden goal of the campaign coincides with Mbeumo’s impressive form of five goals in 10 games since his £71 million move from Brentford.
Man Utd ratings vs Nottingham Forest
AMAD DIALLO’S sweet volley salvaged a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest as Manchester United’s winning streak came to an end.
Casemiro’s third goal of the season – from a controversially awarded corner – was quickly cancelled out by Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona instantly after half-time.
The Brazil midfielder’s easy header in the 34th minute came after Darren England awarded a corner when Savona had seemingly stopped the ball from creeping over the line.
Forest missed several potshots to expend their lead in the second-half, before Amad unleashed a first-time worldie past Matz Sels with nine minutes of normal time remaining.
Before today, Sean Dyche’s first Premier League home game, Forest had sacked more managers than they had picked up points since their last win against Brentford, as United failed to win four on the bounce.
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Amad pointed to the sky after celebrating the leveller in honour of a recent family bereavement that saw him earn compassionate leave for the 3-1 defeat at the Gtech in September.
The natural forward, converted into a wing-back under Amorim, backed his manager – and the disputed 3-4-2-1 system – when asked about the first anniversary of his appointment.
Amad said: “It wasn’t easy at the beginning for him and for us. But the beginning was a start.
“Now we are trying to understand the system and we are trying to do the best every game.
“As a team we are learning every day with the manager because we believe in the system. But today we are really disappointed because as a team we demand a lot.
“We want to win every game because we want to bring this club to the level where they deserve to be.”
