Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim emphasised the importance of being cautious in praising Amad Diallo too highly after the Ivorian forward’s late hat-trick secured a 3-1 victory for his struggling team against Southampton on Thursday.
United struggled significantly against Southampton, who sit at the bottom of the table, conceding an own goal from Manuel Ugarte in the first half as the home team appeared on track for their fourth consecutive home defeat in league.
Diallo, however, single-handedly propelled his team to a crucial victory, becoming the second youngest United player to score a Premier League hat-trick after Wayne Rooney, netting three goals in the final 10 minutes to secure the win for his side.
“The important thing is to win and he helped us and then he is doing a very good season,” Amorim said of Diallo.
“But you have to be careful with the young kids. Congratulations to him, enjoy tonight and he needs to appreciate these moments.
“I will tell him tomorrow he has to rest, eat good food because Sunday we need him again. Diallo did a great job, a good moment for a young kid to score a hat-trick for a club like this.”
Amorim did accept some of the blame for another poor display from his team who remain languishing in 12th in the standings, conceding recent battling performances at Liverpool and Arsenal took their toll.
“I have big expectations for all, trying to be really demanding and I also understand when they try it and cannot do it,” he added.
“The pressure of playing at home is harder than playing away. The demands of controlling all the game against this opponent is harder.
“I need to improve the training and recovery of the players. We are tired, not just the body but the mind. It is a different game, we have to press more. If we don’t manage the ball for so long, we suffer.”
