All eyes on Amad in Stockholm

[Getty Images] Amad Diallo's return from World Cup duty brings with it a significant degree of expectation. While Ivory Coast did not perform brilliantly in the United States, going out in the last 32, Amad impressed with his two goals at the tournament. That was as many as the 24-year-old managed all last season for the Old Trafford outfit. Add in his three-goal haul at the Africa Cup of Nations and Amad's form at international level was significantly better than for his club. Indeed, until the final day of the campaign at Brighton , he didn't even manage an assist for Manchester United from the point at which he left for Afcon in December. There were not many players at the club whose form dipped after Ruben Amorim was axed , but Amad was one of them. It was a contributory factor in the change in formation. The wing-back position highlights defensive work - and Amad is good at that, as he showed against Atletico Madrid. Starting on the right of a three-man attack, Amad's first two dribbles were towards his own goal after nipping in to win possession, and he did it again before half-time when he was replaced. Amad also inadvertently played a significant role in United going behind, when he tried a little trick in flicking a pass back to Leny Yoro, playing his team-mate into trouble. The unintended consequence was the free-kick Yoro conceded trying to deal with a difficult situation, the corner that followed, and then a goal as Arnau Ortiz floated a cross from the left side of United's penalty area, which beat everyone and ended up in the far corner. Amad was a threat at the other end, though. His low free-kick was saved by veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak after it had taken a deflection as it passed through the wall. It was Amad's industry that also allowed United to win possession just outside the Atletico penalty area and start the move that ended with the excellent Shea Lacey crossing for Bryan Mbeumo to head wide. As a first appearance of pre-season, it was perfectly acceptable - but Amad will know his levels will need to improve on last term. Read the full match report here