Amad's caught on camera reaction might point to heartbreaking Manchester United decision

A picture can paint a thousand words and Amad didn't look happy when preparing to enter the pitch during Manchester United's game against Fenerbahce on Thursday night.

Amad was pictured standing on the touchline, waiting to be substituted on, with a glum look as Rene Hake, Ruud van Nisterlrooy and Andreas Georgson tried to gee him up.

There were just minutes of the match remaining and Amad was clearly irked at not starting and then being overlooked for Antony when Marcus Rashford was replaced in a surprising decision. The Brazilian winger was stretchered off in the 89th minute and that gave Amad his chance but it was too late in the day.

ALSO READ: United player ratings from Fenerbahce clash

ALSO READ: 'I think we still have a chance' - Mourinho aims dig at City

Noussair Mazraoui was selected to start as the No.10 in Bruno Fernandes' absence, a position Amad has played in the past. He had to deal with two setbacks in a single night, so it was understandable to see him looking so disenchanted when he was finally told to warm up.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Ten Hag explained his decision and said: "For Amad, he is doing well but we have to reward the performances of Antony in training. He is a threat almost every training so I felt in that moment to bring him, to decide the game.

"But Amad you saw he had one or two actions, very pleased with all the effort and most of the players the quality. I think away from home in Europe in a hectic ambience, to start with four attackers is too much. So I know Nous [Mazraoui] is very capable to play in that position."

Training performances have a huge say in which players are chosen but Antony has hardly performed on a matchday for United, whereas Amad has looked full of promise. He ended last season with a flourish and was unfortunate not to start in the FA Cup final. He began the new campaign by starting the opening five Premier League games, but instead of kicking on after his man-of-the-match performance against Southampton, his minutes have been reduced.

Since Amad excelled at St Mary's Stadium, he has played six minutes against Barnsley, 76 against Crystal Palace, 67 against FC Twente; five against Tottenham, 68 against FC Porto. He was an unused substitute against Aston Villa and Brentford and was given a cameo against Fenerbahce.

You'd struggle to find a United fan who would bring Antony on over Amad and the latter might be considering his options after seemingly slipping down the pecking order. Amad, now 22, has entered the final year of his United contract. The club have a one-year extension option and plan to negotiate fresh terms to safeguard his long-term future, but Amad may need to be convinced he is at the right club to progress in his career.

Starting a defender as a No.10 when Amad played in that role on loan with Sunderland was bad enough for the Ivory Coast international before Antony got the nod ahead of him. Amad must have been frustrated in Istanbul and those decisions compounded a challenging few weeks for him when he was enjoying the best stint of his time at the club, only for his progress to be suddenly halted.

Maybe Amad has downed tools in training and Ten Hag is seeing something the public aren't, but it's been bizarre to see him given fewer and fewer minutes in recent matches. Just when he was enjoying the breakthrough season he was desperate for, he's seemingly back at square one. It has been one step forward and two back for the winger.

He has a decision to make on his future and has received mixed signals from Ten Hag. Nobody could blame Amad for pushing for a departure if his predicament continues, but it's also possible he might be tempted to stick around and outlast Ten Hag.

The frown on Amad's face in Turkey showed what he was thinking and it will be fascinating to see how often he features in the coming weeks.