Man Utd hot shot Amad twists knife in Erik ten Hag with damning 10-word message

The silence from several prominent Manchester United players on social media after Erik ten Hag's sacking last month was loud amid reports of serious friction in the dressing room by the end of his reign. Yet, the noticeable reaction, or non-reaction, could have easily been attributed to different stars' lack of online activity.

Amad was among those who didn't publicly wish Ten Hag well after INEOS pulled the trigger in the wake of a 2-1 defeat at West Ham United.

However, the 22-year-old's public show of affection for Ruud van Nistelrooy following his United exit on Monday spoke volumes.

Ten Hag's overlooking of Amad has been an elephantine cause of frustration among supporters after his eye-catching end to last term and his pre-season performances.

He played for at least an hour in just seven of the Dutchman's 14 games in charge before receiving the axe, impacting his pursuit of confidence and consistency.

But Van Nistelrooy seemingly unlocked a new level to Amad during his brief stint as interim manager, handing him starts in United's last two outings.

Amad produced a match-winning performance against PAOK in the Europa League last week, scoring two exquisite goals to end the club's six-match winless run in Europe.

The Ivory Coast international then earned mass praise for his display in Sunday's 3-0 win against Leicester City, wreaking havoc on the visitors' frail defence and assisting Bruno Fernandes' stellar opener.

Van Nistelrooy shared a passionate embrace with many of United's players at the final whistle before receiving an emotional send-off from a buoyant Stretford End.

A day later, the Red Devils confirmed that Van Nistelrooy wouldn't remain a part of Ruben Amorim's coaching staff.

And Amad, having opted against a farewell message to Ten Hag, was among the United stars to pay tribute to the Dutch icon.

"Thanks for everything. I wish you all the best boss," Amad wrote on Instagram alongside two love heart emojis and an image of the pair hugging after the Leicester match.

Ten Hag left the masses baffled by replacing suspended captain Bruno Fernandes with right-back Noussair Mazraoui in the 1-1 draw at Fenerbahce in the final weeks of his tenure.

Amad cut a dejected figure as he prepared to replace the injured Antony - who had come off the bench 19 minutes earlier instead - in the dying embers of the draw against Jose Mourinho's side.

Van Nistelrooy was seen motivating the troubled starlet on the touchline before, following full-time, Ten Hag suggested that Antony was training better and, therefore, deserved the opportunity.

That was the final straw for plenty of supporters, and the same could be said for United's red-hot No. 16.