**AMAD BENCHED: TACTICAL CALL STINGS AS IVORY COAST GAMBLE AT THE WORLD CUP**

Our boy Amad Diallo has been left on the bench for Ivory Coast’s crunch World Cup Round of 32 clash against Norway, with head coach Emerse Fae opting to add an extra midfielder and strengthen the defence instead. This one hurts, Reds.

After making a strong impact during the group stage — including a dramatic late winner off the bench against Ecuador — many expected Amad to start. But Fae has chosen Nicolas Pépé, Yan Diomande, and Ange-Yoan Bonny as his attacking options from the first whistle. The decision wasn’t injury-related — it’s purely tactical, driven by Ivory Coast’s attacking depth and game management.

Meanwhile, Norway have named their strongest XI, with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard leading the charge after being rested against France. Fae’s strategy is clear: start with balance and defensive solidity, then unleash Amad when spaces open up against Norway’s physical defenders in the second half.

It’s a gutsy call. Nicolas Pépé delivered the goods with a brace against Curaçao to seal their knockout berth, but Amad brings something different — directness, pace, and that United DNA we’ve seen flourish under Michael Carrick this season. This is Ivory Coast’s first-ever World Cup knockout round appearance, and they’re facing Norway today in Dallas.

For United fans watching from Jozi to Cape Town, it’s bittersweet. Amad deserves to start after his brilliance for club and country, but Fae clearly sees him as the ace up his sleeve. Let’s hope he gets his chance to shine — and remind the world exactly what United have in their ranks heading into next season.

✍️ This summary was written by the MUFC Fanatics SA team based on reporting from Sky Sports.

⚽ Want the full story? Get the complete sauce from Sky Sports — this summary was written by the MUFC Fanatics SA team.