“Ten Hag was basically my nightmare and…” – Manchester United’s rising star Amad appeared to criticize Erik ten Hag with a pointed 10-word statement. This subtle yet impactful message seems to underscore lingering frustrations, adding to the scrutiny surrounding ten Hag’s tenure at United following his recent departure.

The quiet response from several prominent Manchester United players on social media following Erik ten Hag’s recent sacking highlighted the tension that had developed in the locker room.

While some attributed this silence to different levels of online activity, Amad’s reaction was particularly telling. He notably didn’t bid farewell to Ten Hag after the coach’s dismissal by INEOS following a 2-1 loss to West Ham United.

However, Amad did publicly show affection for interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy after the latter’s departure from the club, which spoke volumes about his sentiments.

Amad’s lack of playing time under Ten Hag was a significant point of frustration for fans, especially after his strong performances last season and in pre-season.

Ten Hag only gave him substantial minutes in half of the 14 games he managed, hindering Amad’s ability to build confidence and consistency.

Conversely, Van Nistelrooy helped Amad shine, awarding him starts in United’s last two matches. In the Europa League win against PAOK, Amad scored twice, ending United’s six-match European winless streak. Then, in the 3-0 victory over Leicester, he assisted Bruno Fernandes and impressed fans with his dynamic play.

After United confirmed Van Nistelrooy would not join Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff, Amad posted a heartfelt farewell to him on Instagram, expressing gratitude and respect.

This public show of appreciation came after Amad chose not to acknowledge Ten Hag’s exit, revealing more about his rapport with Van Nistelrooy compared to his previous manager.

The situation reflected growing frustration among fans, especially when Ten Hag controversially chose Noussair Mazraoui over Amad for a key match. Van Nistelrooy was later seen encouraging Amad, who had been struggling under Ten Hag’s tenure—a final straw for many supporters who believe Amad deserves more opportunity.