‘We are motivated to shine’ – Amad makes Mainoo admission after win over Newcastle

Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo celebrated together for Manchester United after both players scored in the 3-2 win against Newcastle on Wednesday night.

United got back to winning ways after losing back-to-back games against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

The Reds are no longer in the race for a Champions League, which has been secured by Aston Villa. Our best chance of qualifying in the Europa League hangs on the FA Cup final.

However, after last night’s win over Newcastle, we have learned that Amad and Mainoo have built a close bond at United and try to play on the same team in small-sided games in training.

“In the training, we try to play together to make that combination in the training, when we play together like today we try and to make the same things like in the training,” Amad said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

“We are young players, we are motivated to shine here and I hope to continue like this. It’s important to have Kobbie Mainoo in the team.

“He’s a good player and I have a good relationship with him outside of the pitch, with him and Garnacho. We are happy to play together.”

We saw the benefits of that against Newcastle.

Mainoo scored the opener at Old Trafford following a pass from Amad in the first half and the winger scored his first Premier League goal after the break to restore United’s lead.

They celebrated both goals together.

Amad will hope to make his third consecutive start when United travel to Brighton for the final game of the Premier League season. It will come as another audition for the Ivorian to play his way into the team for the Wembley final.

The Ivory Coast international admitted it hasn’t been an easy season for him, adding: “It was not easy for me, to get injured in pre-season, I was in Sunderland where I did well and I wanted to come here and help my team.

“I got that injury and I was a little bit sad but now I want to forget that moment, it was one of my most difficult moments. Now I’m happy to be back and hope to help the team for the rest of the season.

“I go step by step, I know this year was not easy for me because I didn’t play a lot. The most important thing was to go step by step and when you get your chance you fight for the team and help the team.

“As a player you need to be patient, it’s not easy every time, you train hard but you don’t get what you want. I was training every day hard waiting for my chance and today I get my chance and score and I’m very happy for that.”