What Sunderland chief said about Amad Diallo turned out to be spot on, his risk helped Man United star thrive

Add as preferred source on Google

Amad Diallo showed Manchester United exactly what they were missing during his loan spell at Sunderland.

It has been a frustrating season for Manchester United so far, but Amad Diallo has made the most of his first-team opportunities and become a key player under Ruben Amorim.

Amad has been United’s best player so far this season and he will be a leading contender to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award when the 2024/25 campaign comes to a close.

Remarkably, United came close to losing Amad after he was starved of game time under Erik ten Hag.

The now 22-year-old spent loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland before returning to Manchester and enjoying a breakthrough season. His two loan spells had two very different outcomes.

Sunderland chief backed Amad Diallo to shine

It seemed extremely unlikely that Amad would forge a future at United after he struggled in Scotland. He made just 13 appearances for Rangers during a failed six-month loan.

• What Rangers fans think of Amad after his short loan spell in 2022, ‘what if’ claim is made

However, his time on Wearside was much more impactful. Just weeks after returning from Rangers, Amad joined Sunderland in the summer of 2022. He scored 14 goals for the Championship side and quickly became a fan favourite.

Sunderland captain Corry Evans – who is the brother of United’s Jonny Evans – recently spoke about his time playing alongside Amad at the Stadium of Light.

“He started off pretty slow and had to bide his time a little bit. And then it just seemed to click with him and he just went on this brilliant roll when he was our main man every week,” Evans said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

“He was assisting and scoring for fun. I remember one game and it sticks out in my mind, it was our last game before the break for the 2022 World Cup. The game was on TV that night, it was a Friday night against Birmingham, and he cut inside, then bang – finish. From that moment on, you could see he was going to fly when he came back from the break. He was unstoppable at times.”

Evans also recalled a conversation with Sunderland’s head of recruitment, Stuart Harvey, who was willing to gamble on Amad and had faith that he would impress despite his difficulties at Rangers.

“I follow Rangers as well, so I knew Amad didn’t have the best of times up there and didn’t get as many games as he hoped for.

“I’m also quite close to the head of recruitment at Sunderland and when he was coming in, I asked him what is he like because he’d been up at Rangers and didn’t play much. And he told me ‘no, this boy has ability and you’ll really enjoy playing with him’.”

Amad could stay at Man United for next 10 years

In the same interview, Evans challenged Amad to create a legacy at United and not be a “one-season wonder”.

“Amad could be at United for the next 10 years. And it’s about the longevity and churning out the consistent performances every season, not just being a one-season wonder, so hopefully he will achieve that, and I think he does have the mentality to keep going and striving to improve.

“His all-round game has improved so much.”

Amad agreed a new contract at United last month, ending any speculation that he may leave the club. Instead, Amad sees his long-term future in Manchester.

READ MORE: Amad Diallo nominated for award alongside striker Man United were told to sign

After signing a new deal, Amad is aiming to stay more than five years.

“I want to be here for a long, long, long time. Not just five more years, but maybe for all my life,” he said. That will be music to the ears of United fans.