IT’S AMAD WORLD FOR UNITED

ERIK ten Hag has told Manchester United winger Amad he is finally close to earning a starting place – perhaps as early as today.

Amad, who came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner in United’s epic 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool last month, has yet to start a game this season.

Despite fellow wingers Marcus Rashford and Antony enduring miserable campaigns, Amad – who was out from August to December with a knee injury – has had to be patient.

But the 21-year-old has impressed in seven substitute appearances, with Ten Hag admitting the Ivory Coast star deserves his chance to add to his three starts, which came in 2021, before loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland.

Favouritism

Denying he has shown blind loyalty and favouritism to under-performing duo Rashford and Antony, Ten Hag claimed other players – Amad in particular – will get their chance to shine.

“First of all, Amad had a very bad injury, so for a long period he was out and wasn’t available,” said Ten Hag.

“But he returned and needed some time to get back, to get match fit. He needed training and, in some areas, he needed to catch up. So it’s fair now that he gets his minutes.

“He has to keep fighting, set his performances in the minutes he deserves, and from there you get your position in the line-up.

“Amad is doing really well, but we have a lot of competition in the front line and I know you have to give them trust.” United’s hopes of claiming fourth spot and a Champions League space are all but over, with Aston

Villa 13 points clear with four games left to play.

To snatch fourth spot, United must win their remaining five games and hope Villa pick up a solitary point in their four.