Manchester United have been handed a double boost ahead of Sunderland’s visit to Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim is under intense pressure at Manchester United after a poor start to the 2025/26 campaign.
United are sitting in the bottom half of the table after winning just two of their first six games in the Premier League. To make matters worse, the Red Devils suffered defeat against Grimsby Town before crashing out of the Carabao Cup.
More questions were asked of Amorim following United’s 3-1 defeat against Brentford on Saturday, and he will be demanding a response from his players when they host Sunderland at Old Trafford this weekend.
Amorim will be eager to see some of his players return to the matchday squad after missing key personnel last time out, including Casemiro, who was serving a one-match suspension.
United fans will also be hoping to see the team bounce back to winning ways before the October international break.
Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia return to training
Casemiro wasn’t the only notable absentee when United travelled to the Gtech Community Stadium.
Amad Diallo was sadly ruled out of the game due to a family bereavement.
This meant Amorim was forced to make more changes to his starting line-up for the game, as Manuel Ugarte replaced Casemiro in midfield and Diogo Dalot took Amad’s place on the right flank.
United have confirmed that Amad has been welcomed back into the group for training.
Amad’s return will come as a major boost for Amorim because he had been involved in United’s opening six matches of the season, starting in five of those.
The return of the Ivory Coast international means he could face his former club on Saturday, having spent one season on loan at the Stadium of Light.
There was also positive news for Tyrell Malacia, who had been made an outcast at United following his return from PSV Eindhoven at the end of last season.
Malacia returned to training and will now compete for a place in the team with other wing-back options on the left flank.
The 26-year-old missed out on the chance to leave Old Trafford during the summer, but he now has an opportunity to get into Amorim’s good books.
Amad Diallo voted Sunderland Young Player of the Year in 2023
Amad was rewarded for his fine loan spell at Sunderland when he was voted the supporters’ Young Player of the Year.
The winger scored 12 times for Sunderland and appeared to blossom under the management of Tony Mowbray.
Sunderland were unlucky to miss out on a play-off spot, but they have since returned to the top flight.
It will be a special occasion for Amad if he returns to the line-up.
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