Iliman Ndiaye: Everton star unlocks Ruben Amorim’s system – Man United News and Transfer News | The People’s Person

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“We should have a right-footed Amad to put on the other side.”

That was Ruben Amorim’s assessment of his Manchester United squad after the dismal 0-1 defeat to 10-man Everton on Monday evening, as he lamented the left full-back’s lack of attacking threat.

But in reality it is a criticism that has existed ever since the Portuguese coach arrived at Old Trafford to replace Erik ten Hag last November, despite signing a specialist – Danish international Patrick Dorgu – in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old has proven to be a duel-winning monster, with a great engine and good athleticism. But from an offensive perspective, he is unpolished, and there are legitimate concerns if there is even a gem to be discovered, or simply a player who does his best work when the other team has the ball.

The alternatives for Dorgu are to deploy right-backs – Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui – on their unfavorable side, in a role that does not suit their skills anyway.

And it is this combination of ineffective options at left-back in the future that Amorim candidly acknowledged, compared to the right with the powerful combination of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.

Therefore, INEOS needs to strengthen this area of ​​the pitch, as the full-backs are absolutely fundamental to their head coach’s system; Without an Amad on the left, it will prove impossible for Amorim to do well at Old Trafford.

And it just so happens that the perfect candidate plies his trade just 50 miles west of Old Trafford: Everton and Senegal star Iliman Ndiaye.

Baller from the street

Ndiaye, 25, has had a fantastic season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the tricky winger showing the full range of his talents for the Toffees.

He has just four goals and one assist. But this is mainly due to Everton’s ineffective attackers and being forced to play within David Moyes’ negative system. Last season he scored nine goals – a strong result considering the limitations he finds himself in.

Iliman Ndiaye – Healthcare provider statistics.

There are few better sights in Premier League football than Ndiaye, driving the ball into an opposition full-back in full flight and fooling them with his exquisite dribbling – a skill honed on the streets as well as on training grounds.

He is also equally comfortable deployed on either wing, with that rare double-footed trait of being strong with both feet. This also makes him impossible to predict given his ability to move in or move out. Unpredictable wingers keep defenders awake late at night.

The Senegal international, who heads to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) next month, has had a storied journey to reach the top of the English football pyramid having played for Boreham Wood eight years ago after being released by Southampton.

During this period he also appeared for Rising Ballers – ‘a media brand that uses grassroots initiatives to showcase unsigned talent’, the BBC explains – with Ndiaye’s rise to Everton a testament to the organization’s mission and an inspiration to others.

But the difficult path to the Premier League has instilled in the 25-year-old a ruthless work ethic and drive, which, combined with street football skills, produces one of the division’s best wingers not playing for a top six club – and a perfect candidate to provide Amorim with what he needs on the left.

Wingers at Wing-Back

To play under Moyes, a winger has to offer as much from a defensive perspective as he does in attack.

They must track diligently; they must provide support to their full-back; and they need to understand the general low-block setup their manager wants to implement on the pitch.

It’s an approach that is the reason the Scot was destined to fail at Old Trafford, but one that provides Ndiaye with the education needed to thrive as a full-back in the same stadium. If Moyes trusts him, he is undoubtedly strong defensively – and there are no doubts about his attacking capabilities.

The Senegalese international produced one of the best performances of the season by any player or team in the Premier League against Manchester City last month, despite a 2-0 defeat to Everton.

He was electric, showing all his talents, tormenting Pep Guardiola’s defense and always making sure he was in position to help Jake O’Brien, the right-back behind him. It was the kind of display that made England’s elite and clubs on the continent sit up and take notice of the prodigious talents playing for one of the country’s ‘smaller’ teams.

United were undoubtedly one of them, as it was against the club’s bitter local rival. But also because Amorim specifically mentioned Ndiaye during a pre-match press conference before the defeat to Everton, describing him as “great”.

The Portuguese coach has similarly praised Amad over the past 12 months, with the left-footed right winger offering him exactly what he needs at right-back as the Ivorian works as hard without the ball as he is skilled with it.

Cut from the same cloth, Ndiaye combines ingenuity and industriousness in equal measure, except he is right-footed and capable of playing on the left – the part of the pitch Amorim is listed as needing an upgrade.

Plan B to Semenyo

Another prospect admired by the former Sporting manager is AFC Bournemouth talisman Antoine Semenyo, who United explored signing this summer before signing for Bryan Mbeumo.

The Ghana international instead signed a new contract at the Vitality Stadium and has gone from strength to strength this season under the continued tutelage of Andoni Iraola. In particular, his efficiency in front of goal has improved radically.

Semenyo remains on United’s radar due to his versatility, work rate and attacking qualities, making him one of the most complete strikers in the Premier League.

The new deal, which runs until 2030, includes a release clause worth £65 million, which will become active in the first ten days of the January transfer window. It’s a costly release, but a reasonable one considering its current quality and form.

As relayed by The People’s Person, United have reportedly made progress towards signing Semenyo in January, with an offer presented to his representatives at a meeting this week. But the Red Devils are joined by their domestic rivals – namely City and Liverpool – in a hot race for the Ghanaian winger, with the Merseyside club leading the way.

If either club pays the release clause, Semenyo is unlikely to choose Old Trafford over Anfield or Etihad given the offer of Champions League football at both. He would also be signed to play as a winger for both, while it would be a conversion to full-back at United.

However, Semenyo’s profile – a hard-working 6’1 winger with excellent athleticism and excellent dribbling with both feet – makes him an ideal candidate for this transition. United’s left side would be transformed by his arrival, but it increasingly feels like he will join a rival in January.

That is why INEOS must focus on Ndiaye.

The Senegalese winger offers a similar roster of attributes to Semenyo, but without the intense transfer battle the Ghanaian will be subject to action next month.

If United were to link up with Amad flanking Mbeumo and Ndiaye overlapping Matheus Cunha, the opposition defense would be stretched beyond breaking point – and this is exactly the overloading effect that Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system is trying to produce.

Currently, only the law is capable of this. But launching an attack to secure Ndiaye would balance the Red Devils’ ability to catch their opponents off balance and allow their coach to recreate the success he enjoyed in Lisbon.

It would give him his Amad with the right foot to put on the left foot.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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