Manchester United winger Amad Diallo hopes to return to the club and compete for a first-team place next season after his loan at Sunderland expires 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 with just a few Italian appearances due 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 Peñarol for just a fraction of the price of around £8m. Pellistri had to wait much longer for his United debut but saw the opportunities start to come this season with Erik ten Hag.
Amad had played eight times for United at the end of the 2020/21 season, including a Europa League goal against AC Milan. But, with the team starting to struggle as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign came to an end, he only followed through with one more chance before a loan to Rangers.
After three goals in 13 appearances for Scotland, Amad, now 20, was loaned out to Sunderland in the Championship, where he has thrived.
He has so far managed 11 goals and two assists in 32 league appearances for the Black Cats and picked up the Vertu Motors PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Month award in December.
But with a contract at Old Trafford until 2025 and the chance to work with a manager widely known for nurturing young talent, Amad sees his future firmly in Manchester.
“I know [the transfer fee] it was a lot of money, but I didn’t really think about it; 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 great history, famous all over the world. I haven’t given my best for them yet, but I hope that next season I can come back and show my talent. My dream is to play regular football for Manchester United.”
