'Not easy for me' - Amad lifts lid on his Manchester United struggles this season

Amad Diallo says his close friendship with Kobbie Mainoo was clear to see in Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday night.

The Ivorian winger built upon his impressive performance against Arsenal last weekend as he grabbed a goal and assist and inspired his side to a huge three points in their quest for European qualification.

Amad, 21, set-up close friend Mainoo for the opening goal of the game and then cancelled out Anthony Gordon's equaliser with a thunderous strike of his own in the second-half of the match. Rasmus Hojlund added a third from the bench, before Lewis Hall grabbed a late consolation goal for the away side.

The United youngster is taking his chance after an injury-ridden season and he is delighted to be part of the next crop of exciting young talent at the club.

Asked about his relationship with Mainoo, Amad told reporters: "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. 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."

Amad had to wait 887 days for his start in the Arsenal defeat last weekend but has now started in successive Premier League matches in the space of just four days. He could keep his spot for the trip to Brighton this weekend and could even trusted to start in the FA Cup final against Man City next week.

He added: “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.

“I got 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.”

Asked about the injury he suffered against Arsenal in pre-season last summer that kept him out of the team for the first part of the new season, he admitted: “It was not easy for my, 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.”