Forgotten Manchester United forward outlines way forward

FOOTBALL Forgotten Manchester United forward outlines way forward

Kiplagat Sang • 16:00 - 10.04.2023

The youngster hopes to return and become a regular player under the Dutchman.

Forgotten Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo has promised to work hard and become a regular first-teamer under Erik ten Hag next season.

The Ivorian is on loan at Sunderland and has managed to have a fruitful spell so far, where he has netted 11 goals in 34 games and is a regular starter for coach Tony Mowbray.

The 20-year-old was on the scoresheet twice in their 4-4 draw against Hull City on Friday.

"I haven’t shown my best for them [United] yet, but I hope next season I can return and prove my talent," Amad said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

"My dream is to play regular football at Manchester United."

Amad joined the Red Devils in 2021 from Atalanta for an initial fee of £19 million, which could rise to £37 million, and two months after arriving, he scored in a 1-1 Europa League knockout game against AC Milan in one of nine first-team appearances.

He thereafter joined Rangers on a loan deal but had a poor spell, so he returned to Old Trafford and featured in a number of pre-season games under Ten Hag.

A second loan spell was agreed, and he moved to the Stadium of Light and, so far, has become a fan favourite given his performances.

He has also impressed the manager, who asked United not to recall the Ivorian in the January window.

His last competitive senior appearance for the Red Devils came in May 2021, in a 2-1 final-day win against Wolves. Two weeks earlier, Amad had bagged his maiden first-team assist against Leicester during a 2-1 defeat.

Aside from his 11 goals, Amad has so far registered three assists for Sunderland, as his loan deal is expected to expire at the end of the season.