Amad Diallo's Manchester United future won't rest on his attacking quality

Futures cannot be gauged off the back of a 45-minute friendly appearance but Amad Diallo did no harm to his Manchester United prospects on Wednesday.

Just a day after turning 21, the winger impressed with a half of incisive running in the 2-0 win against Leeds. It was no coincidence that most of United's attacks came down his side, and while pre-season must be taken with a rather large pinch of salt, these were encouraging signs.

'You don’t make conclusions after one week,' Erik ten Hag said in his typically blunt manner after the result and Amad will have to do plenty more to break into the Dutchman's first-team plans. He will join the squad in the United States next week and must build on a strong first impression across the pond.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here

ALSO READ: Amad could solve transfer demand with new role vs Leeds

His attacking quality is no secret and the youngster's double-digit return on loan at Sunderland last season is proof of potential. 14 goals and three assists helped the Black Cats reach the play-offs during their first season back in the second-tier, and going forward, he is ready to step up.

Under Ten Hag, however, being an attacker doesn't just mean attacking and to break into the Dutchman's plans for next season, Amad must show his defensive capabilities.

“I hope we can convince them as they do a lot of work, A lot of running," Ten Hag said of his forwards last July. "Often you see offensive players, they miss, that is what they think, in the offence, the energy.

"But you can see they put a lot of energy in defence and they get rewarded by scoring goals because we are winning balls