Manchester City champions. Liverpool equalized the score. Now, a week after signing a new long-term contract with Manchester United, he has scored a winning hat-trick.

Amad Diallo has been the shining light of Ruben Amorim’s reign so far.

“This was probably one of the best weeks of my life,” he told us TNT Sports His 12-minute hat-trick changed the story of United. It was the first senior hat-trick of his career, just seven days after it was agreed. The deal keeps him at Manchester United until 2030.

A poor 75 minutes put them at risk of losing to a club at the bottom of the Premier League. Instead, United fans at Old Trafford went home singing Amad’s name. “I’m very happy with this win,” the Ivorian added.

Only Wayne Rooney has scored a Premier League hat-trick for Manchester United at a younger age. Yet, even at just 22 years old, Amad is still showing his more experienced teammates how to adapt to an unfamiliar system and improve.

Whether he plays as one of the two forwards to support the forwards, or moves to a full-back position (as he did late in the Treble), Amad is looking for a 3-4-2-1 at Amorim Ways in the formation to influence the game.

It is worth noting that of Amad’s six league goals this season, two are winners and three are equalizers. Amad stepped up when it mattered. Not bad for a player who only made three top-flight starts last season under Erik ten Hag.

Ironically, the very man who ignited Amad’s form has downplayed his achievements.

“He had a great season. That’s all,” Amorim said at the post-match press conference.

“We have to be careful with the young kids. Very good job today. He has a lot to improve on. But this game is behind us. We need to be ready for the future. That’s what life is like in football.”

“He did a great job. For a young kid to score a hat-trick for a club like this is a great moment. But he needs to focus on the next game because everything is behind him and prepare for the next game Be prepared.”

Amorim is clearly keen to curb the hype surrounding Ahmad. This may be due to the difficulty of the wider task at hand. But for United fans going through another challenging season, it’s hard not to be excited about the rising star’s potential.

Analysis: Ahmad steps up again

Sky Sports’ Adam Bate at Old Trafford:

“Tactically, United were soundly outplayed by Southampton. Lenny Yoro was exposed by Kamaldin Suleimana and his pressing was horrendous against a team with a reputation for error-prone defenses. It was inconsistent throughout and the team’s play showed a worrying tentativeness.

“Some of these players still feel uncomfortable with what Amorim is asking them to do, and the coach himself admits that these demands completely upend their education. Some players may just not be suited to what is being asked of them.”

“But in situations like this you learn more about the players and the people. Amad stepped up again. Like when he scored against Manchester City away. Like when he equalized against Liverpool recently Here’s what a hat does – the trick to turning it all around.

“He didn’t wait for things to happen, he made them happen. The first goal was forced on the second call. The second goal was through a clever move inside the box and hopefully he would be spotted. .The third goal came from a Gamble defender losing control of the ball.

“He did it as a nominal full-back in Amorim’s system, moving there to cover the absence of Diogo Dalot through suspension. If everyone in his team can What a joy it will be for his coach to take on the challenge mentally and tactically that he does this season.”

Analysis: Extending Amad deal is Manchester United’s best transfer move

Anton Torui of Sky Sports News at Old Trafford:

“There has been a lot of discussion over the futures of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Coby Minu in this transfer window, but signing Amad a new contract looks to be the best option for United. Good business.

“They need someone to step up, take risks, push forward and take the game away from their opponents – and the Ivorians have done that.

“Mainu was replaced early, Ganaccio missed a key opportunity, Rashford was nowhere to be seen, but Amad has stepped up.”

Amorim: We still have a lot to do

While Amad’s heroics have not left United blushing, Amorim has no doubts about the scale of the task at hand.

“It feels like we have a lot to do,” he told TNT Sports After the game. “I think the team was really tired – Liverpool, Arsenal 120 minutes, it’s not just the physical part but the mental part of the players. So it’s a win, let’s get on with it.”

He also noted the pressure his players feel playing in front of their own fans. United have lost their last three games at Old Trafford – the club haven’t suffered four consecutive home defeats since 1934. Another problem was that when Southampton broke through in the first half, the team struggled to gel as a unit.

“Playing in this stadium, where we’ve lost the last three games, the pressure is different,” he said. “We tried to press the opponent in attack and you could feel the difficulty. Then they created contact between the defense and caused us a lot of problems.

“It’s difficult for us to press high up the pitch now. This team is not used to doing that, so there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm. (Manuel) Ugarte is late, Kobe Mainu is late, Bruno (Fernandez) is going out and the ball Inside, and then a conversion, (Lenny) Yoro couldn’t catch (Suleimana).

“These are little things and then we get nervous without the ball. But when you have a goal, a chance, you feel the team can control the game better.

“I want to do justice to my players. It wasn’t a lack of enthusiasm today. It was a lack of pace and sometimes control of the game.”