Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is hoping to be back at the club competing for a first-team next season once his loan at Sunderland comes to an end next month.
United committed up to £37m – a fee split in half between a guaranteed payment and future add-ons – to sign Amad from Atalanta off the back of only a handful of senior appearances in Italy in October 2020, completing the move the following January.
The Ivorian was signed at the same time as Facundo Pellistri, who was bought from Uruguayan giants Penarol for just a fraction of the price at around £8m. Pellistri had to wait a lot longer for his United debut but has seen chances start to come this season under Erik ten Hag.
Amad had played eight times for United by the end of the 2020/21 season, including a goal in the Europa League against AC Milan. But, with the team starting to struggle as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign drew to a close, only a single further chance followed before a loan to Rangers.
After three goals in 13 appearances in Scotland, a now 20-year-old Amad was sent on loan to Sunderland in the Championship, where he has thrived.
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So far, he has managed 11 goals and two assists in 32 league appearances for the Black Cats and collected the PFA Vertu Motors Championship Fans’ Player of the Month award for December.
But with a contract at Old Trafford until 2025 and an opportunity to work with a manager widely known for nurturing young talent, Amad sees his future firmly in Manchester.
“I know [the transfer fee] was a lot of money, but I didn’t really think about that; there’s no reason to worry about things you can’t influence,” he told FourFourTwo.
“I was so happy to sign for Manchester United: it’s a club with a massive history, famous all around the world. I haven’t shown my best for them yet, but I hope next season I can return and prove my talent. My dream is to play regular football at Manchester United.”
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