Skip to content
Manchester United could have a new first-team player after their next seven games
It’s dangerous to fall in love with a loan player but Sunderland fans considered Amad worth the inevitable heartbreak this season.
Amad started slowly in the North East at the beginning of the campaign, but he scored his first goal in October and never looked back. The winger began to flourish in the Championship and quickly became a favourite at the Stadium of Light.
The 20-year-old shone brightest in a young Sunderland team that defied expectations by reaching the play-offs and along the journey, every one of the club’s supporters waxed lyrical about the talent Manchester United had on their hands.
The chant about Amad during his time at Sunderland described him as ‘f****** magic’ and his wand of a left foot produced stunning goals against Preston and Luton in May, which immediately went viral on social media.
ALSO READ: United transfer state of play as window opens
Amad pulled a rabbit out of a hat in big moments for Sunderland and they simply wouldn’t have reached the play-offs without him. The loan was a resounding success and Amad was sad to bid his farewells.
“I can only be proud to have been part of this team,” the youngster wrote on social media in his goodbye message to Sunderland. It was certainly a year look back on fondly for Amad and he’s hoping it’s a springboard to success at Old Trafford.
There was a belief among staff at the club that regular starts would bring the best out of Amad and they’ve been proven right. The club are delighted with his progress on loan and the player thoroughly enjoyed his spell away.
Amad’s technical ability has been obvious since he signed, but his loan was intended to teach him about the senior game. The move has served its purpose and the benefits of playing in the Championship are expected to be seen upon his return
The player will now get a chance to fight for a place in the first-team squad. Antony, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga all play on the right wing, but the Brazilian is the only forward on that list who appears to be highly valued by Erik ten Hag.
Although Pellistri has looked promising in his handful of cameo appearances, he played just 280 minutes this term and it seems most likely that his future lies elsewhere, perhaps in a division like La Liga where he previously spent two loan stints.
Regarding academy graduate Elanga, he last scored in February 2022 against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and it’s understood the club will listen to loan and permanent offers for him this summer.
Jadon Sancho can play on the right wing, of course, but with Antony the only established player on that side, Amad has a golden opportunity during pre-season to show why he’s worth a place in the first-team squad.
Whether Amad is able to seize that chance is another matter. He contributed 14 goals and 4 assists in the Championship, but playing in the Premier League is obviously another level and it remains to be seen if he can make the transition.
His experience in the second tier should stand him in good stead and there are seven confirmed pre-season fixtures in which Amad could feature in, with a decision on his future set to be made toward the end of the window.
United will play games in Oslo and Edinburgh before embarking on a tour of North America and Amad will have a chance to impress. The Premier League season starts on August 12 and the youngster wants to be part of that first matchday squad.
Amad’s defensive work when not in possession will have to improve, but the club thought they were signing one of the most exciting prospects in Europe when signing him in 2020 and there’s still time to live up to that billing.
He’ll celebrate his 21st birthday in July and it could be another year to remember ahead for Amad.
NEXT UP:
