Amad Diallo continues to shine under pressure for Manchester United, consistently delivering decisive late goals.
On Thursday, he achieved a remarkable feat by netting a hat trick within a striking 12-minute window, turning a precarious situation into a triumphant 3-1 victory against Southampton, the team at the bottom of the Premier League.
This victory was especially significant, as United was on the verge of suffering its fourth consecutive home defeat for the first time since the 1930s.
“Belief in football is crucial. We maintained our faith until the very end,” remarked Diallo, who recently extended his contract with United for five years, a testament to his growing importance within the squad.
Diallo has established himself as a key player in critical moments. Just two weeks prior, he scored an equalizer in the 80th minute at Anfield, helping secure a 2-2 draw against rival Liverpool.
A month earlier, he clinched a 90th-minute goal against Manchester City and was instrumental in an FA Cup victory over Liverpool, scoring a late winner during extra time.
Now recognized as a reliable asset, Diallo has earned the trust of manager Ruben Amorim, who has positioned him in the challenging role of right wing back.
During the match against Southampton, Diallo showcased his versatility by transitioning into a forward role, scoring his first goal in the 82nd minute after recovering from an initial blocked attempt.
He then took the lead for United with a volley from Christian Eriksen’s assist in the 90th minute and rounded off the match with a third goal in stoppage time, capitalizing on a defensive error from Southampton.
“I’m willing to adapt to any role within the team—be it as a wing back, No. 10, or wherever the manager sees fit,” Diallo stated.
He made history by becoming the second-youngest player to achieve a Premier League hat trick for United, following in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney.
“I’m committed to fighting for this club,” he added.
Amorim expressed confidence in Diallo’s potential, stating that if he continues to display dedication in training, “good things are going to happen” for him.
“He is experiencing a great phase and is having an excellent season,” Amorim noted.
The win marks a positive shift for the historically prominent club, which had recently triumphed over Arsenal in a penalty shootout during the FA Cup and had an impressive 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool in their last league outing.
Although United currently sits in 12th place in the league, their overall performance against Southampton was less than stellar, after conceding first due to an own-goal from Manuel Ugarte just before halftime.
Meanwhile, Southampton remains at the bottom of the table with only six points and faces a high likelihood of relegation, trailing 10 points behind safety.
In related news, newly promoted Ipswich Town has slipped into the relegation zone following a home defeat to Brighton, who emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
Goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter in the second half propelled Brighton into ninth place, while Ipswich now finds itself in a precarious third-to-last position, just above Leicester and Southampton.
