10 goal contributions in 5 under-23 games: United star Amad out on loan
We wrote earlier this week that United needed to make a decision about Amad. The teenager is one of Europe’s most promising young prospects, but his first half of the season has been squandered due to a combination of terrible luck with injuries and being neglected. As a result, this transaction is a win-win situation.
The opportunity at Rangers is excellent.
Rangers will provide him with the ideal balance of a multifaceted challenge. He will be exposed to the harshness of British cold weather, as well as physical opposition at times. This will allow him to demonstrate that he is not a lightweight, and he will be able to demonstrate far more than if he were to move to a warmer, more technical league elsewhere on the continent.
At the same time, he will be handled by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a former Feyenoord manager who prefers an attacking style of play. Amad may be a part of a title-contending team, play meaningful games with genuine stakes, and complete the season with a league winner’s medal. This is far superior to joining a relegation scrapper in England.
Then there’s the temptation of Europa League action, against none other than Borussia Dortmund. Rangers will be underdogs in the knockout rounds, but this is an excellent opportunity for Amad to make an impression and shine in front of a large audience. It’s the ideal combination of opportunity and timing for him at this point in his career.
At United, Amad hit a brick wall.
Amad was becoming increasingly stranded at United. He was seen to be too excellent for the under-23s but not good enough to hold down a regular first-team spot. Or, if he is good enough, the coaches are unwilling to offer him opportunities.
He has only been selected for five under-23 matches in the last 12 months, but he has made 10 goal contributions, including six goals and four assists. These came against Liverpool, Blackburn, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leeds.
His talent helped to raise the young athletes he played with. When Amad was in the side laying on passes for Shola Shoretire, he scored his first-ever under-23 hat-trick. And, while United could have stayed down this path and let him pile up numbers, he wasn’t being challenged enough, and this loan transfer to Rangers will boost his development regardless of how it turns out.
Rangers’ point of view
We spoke with Rangers News site editor Cameron Willis to get the facts on Amad’s perception and the young attacker’s prospects at Ibrox.
“Creativity and spark is something we’ve needed at times, and having that guy who can pull bums off seats is nice as we strive to retain the Scottish Premiership title,” Willis added.
It also helps the club as a whole since Amad will become the most expensive player in Scottish football history in terms of transfer fees when he joins Rangers, and the anticipation surrounding him has created a buzz.
“There are some concerns about Amad’s lack of first-team experience – with Rangers and Ibrox being punishing places if things aren’t going well – but we’re hopeful the boy will seize his opportunity.” At Ibrox, there’s a good, upbeat bunch of players, and we’re confident he’ll fit right in.
“It’s a terrific move for United as well; they certainly have title ambitions, and Amad will have to play with the mentality and pressure to win every single week with constant media coverage, while we have a massive match with Dortmund on the horizon.”
“If the buzz is to be believed, then the stage is set for Amad to go on and assert himself in Scotland and take the next step in his development, and the Scottish Premiership should be thrilled to have landed someone of his skill, even if for a brief while.” If things go well – who knows – perhaps the prospect of Champions League football and the chance to play regularly in a settled, winning group would entice Amad to stay at Ibrox next season as well.”
