Manchester United winger Amad has endured a difficult campaign at Old Trafford, but a return to form against Sunderland would be the perfect timing.
After last season saw Amad breakthrough at Manchester United to become one of the star players, he was always going to face a challenge to repeat it this campaign.
But the Ivory Coast international wouldn’t have expected to have scored just twice through 29 Premier League appearances.
Michael Carrick has emphasised Amad’s importance, but as long as he isn’t scoring or assisting, questions will be raised around his place in the team. So this weekend, on a return to his former home stadium, the 23-year-old will be doubly eager to re-find form.
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Amad finding form against Sunderland would be poetic for him
This season has been a major back-step for Amad in comparison to his form last season and while on loan at Sunderland.
But with a return to the Stadium of Light this weekend for United, it would be the perfect time for Amad to remind everyone of his brilliance.
The Sunderland fans will be expecting him to star, as Amad dominated the Championship for Sunderland under Tony Mowbray.
The former Sunderland boss was Amad’s biggest believer and so three years after departing the Stadium of Light, he will be desperate to show his class on the return and demonstrate his improvements.
At the Stadium of Light, Amad will have happy memories particularly as he scored seven and assisted two in 18 games there.
Perhaps being back at his old stomping ground will be enough to see him regain some of his confidence and end the season on a high.
Has Man Utd’s team improved since the last away trip to Sunderland?
Jose Mourinho took charge of a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light back in 2017 with this side…
Amad’s confidence is a big issue for Manchester United
While on paper Amad has struggled this season, his actual performances have actually still been at a really high level for most of the season.
Amad has ranked highly for multiple important statistics in the league this season, with his finishing the one glaring issue.
- Amad has created 39 chances which is in the 98th percentile of wingers.
- Amad has made 36 successful dribbles which is in the 94th percentile.
- Amad’s expected goals tally of 5.23 is in the 98th percentile of his positional peers.
Amad’s underperformance of 3.23 in goal scoring highlights his issue.
One notable instance saw Amad miss Kobbie Mainoo’s wonderful assist from point blank range.
The only explanation for this is confidence and so Amad just needs to re-find himself.
Whether it happens on Saturday or over the summer, Amad needs to return a different player, otherwise he could soon be challenged for his position by Shea Lacey.
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