Amad Diallo stated on social media that he will not be leaving Manchester United to compete in the African Cup of Nations, as Sky Sports had claimed.

The media source published a list of all Premier League players who will leave their clubs to compete in the event. Amad was listed in the United section alongside Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat.

The 21-year-old winger responded on X (previously known as Twitter).

“Not true..!” In response to a United supporter tagging a player in a screenshot from the Sky Sports piece, Amad commented. The page has been updated to reflect the winger’s latest information.

However, it is a potentially advantageous time for his manager. Erik ten Hag has failed to find a reliable right wing option this season, with the position becoming a revolving door of try and error, with a greater emphasis on the error.

Antony, who was signed at a high cost last summer, has yet to persuade anyone that he is a Premier League-worthy winger, let alone a United one. Jadon Sancho is on the verge of leaving Manchester United, having not featured for the first team since his public spat with Ten Hag in September. And Facundo Pellistri has a lot of enthusiasm but not much quality.

Marcus Rashford has played on the right before, but he rarely appears interested in football, let alone competent with one. Similarly, Alejandro Garnacho, who is right-footed, feels more at home on the left.

That’s why Amad’s cameo in the 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest was a bright spot in a drab ninety-minute performance.

The Ivorian winger has been declared out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. Given Amad’s great season at Sunderland last year, as well as the troubles of every other right-winger at the club this year, it was extremely unlucky timing.

If it hadn’t been for that awful intervention last summer, he would have been given far more opportunities on the right, and based on how upbeat the 21-year-old appeared in the 36 minutes on Saturday, he would have grabbed them with both hands.

Amad has been strongly connected to a loan move in January, according to reports. Southampton were considered to be leading the push for his talents, but a slew of other clubs are said to be interested as well.

With the winger not leaving for the African Cup of Nations this month, allowing him to leave Old Trafford would be a huge error. While Sancho and Pellistri depart, Amad should be given the opportunity to stake his claim on the right side.

Amad’s play against Forest was confident and incisive, which, considering it was his first taste of senior football in over six months, was as impressive as it was refreshing in compared to the player he replaced (Antony). This striking discrepancy is explained in further depth in this report by The Peoples Person.

This video shows the contrast between the two; one is rapid and decisive, while the other is flamboyant and leisurely.