John O’Shea on what Sunderland players used to say about Manchester United sensation Amad

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Amad Diallo is reaching a status as Manchester United’s newest hero after another big winning goal.

Earlier in 2024 Amad Diallo scored a sensational winning goal to fire Manchester United to a FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool.

At the weekend he did it again, scoring an even better late goal to settle the derby against City, sealing a 2-1 win.

The young winger is now one of the first names on the Manchester United teamsheet for new head coach Ruben Amorim.

• READ MORE: Who is Amad Diallo? Height, Position, Transfer Fee, Salary, Career

Amad has come a long way

Following Amad’s winner against City, Rio Ferdinand reflected on how far the youngster had come, having been doubted early during his time at the club.

Amad was on loan at Sunderland in the 2022/23 season, where he quickly became a fan favourite.

Former Manchester United and Sunderland defender John O’Shea explained what he had been told about Amad’s time at the Championship side.

He told MUTV: “They just used to say ‘pass the ball to Amad’, because he was so confident in possession.

“Obviously, it’s a different level now he’s at but he’s showing the confidence, and that maturity, in his performances.”

Amad has 10 goal contributions this season for Manchester United, four goals and six assists.

Amad is becoming hard to stop

In addition to his Manchester United wondergoal against City, Amad also won the equalising penalty, with his quick footwork inside the box leading to a rash decision from Matheus Nunes to go sliding in.

That was the first penalty Amad has won all season, a more common sight is to see him dribbling through the box, finding space and asking questions.

O’Shea has noticed how defenders are treating Amad with a lot of respect, adding: “He’s always getting something from it [possession]. You can see defenders now are backing off him.

“They’re scared of them, he’s creating chances. And I think what I loved about his winning goal was that consistency, that the bravery to keep running, keep making the runs.

“There’s nothing worse for a defender, if you notice him, he’s gone again. He’s making those runs behind City with that high line.”

Amad’s winning goal came from one of his runs to latch onto a searching through ball from centre-back Lisandro Martinez.

The attacker’s magic footwork did the rest, combined with some suspect defending from Josko Gvardiol.

United’s next task is to tie up Amad’s contract extension.