Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand’s succinct two-word response to the tribute for Amad Diallo after the 3-1 victory over Southampton speaks volumes about the young winger’s growing significance to the team.
Despite an overall underwhelming performance from Manchester United, who were far from their best and looked set to struggle against the bottom-of-the-table Southampton, Amad was the undeniable hero. The Red Devils fell behind in the first half due to Manuel Ugarte’s own goal off a corner, and it appeared United would suffer another disappointing result at Old Trafford. However, Amad single-handedly turned the game around in dramatic fashion.
With just eight minutes remaining, Amad produced a brilliant solo effort to equalize. Then, in the dying moments of the match, he latched onto a perfectly timed chip from Christian Eriksen, netting a crucial goal that put United ahead. To cap off his incredible performance, Amad completed his hat-trick in the 94th minute, pouncing on a loose touch from Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and tapping the ball into an empty net to seal the win.
In recognition of his contribution, Amad was gifted the match ball, and it was impossible to overlook the importance of his performance. Following the game, United’s social media team also made sure to highlight Amad’s heroics, acknowledging the impact of his 12-minute hat-trick on the result.
Ferdinand, known for his no-nonsense commentary and insight, responded simply to the tribute with the two words “Big performance,” underscoring his admiration for the young player’s resilience and the game-changing influence he had. This succinct reaction sums up what many Manchester United fans are beginning to realize: Amad is becoming a key player for the club, capable of rising to the occasion and delivering in crucial moments.