Sunderland are set to miss out on the loan signing of Manchester United winger Amad Diallo in January, sources have revealed to The Real EFL.
The 21-year-old spent last season at the Stadium of Light on a temporary deal, emerging as one of their stars as Tony Mowbray guided the club into the Championship play-offs in their first season back in the second tier. He scored 14 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
He returned to Old Trafford in the summer determined to make an impression on manager Erik ten Hag, although it was said that the Dutchman was keen to give the Ivory Coast international another year of regular first team football elsewhere, albeit in one of Europe’s top five leagues. However, a knee injury suffered in pre-season curtailed those wishes.
Amad is nearing a return to full fitness though and will be looking to seize his opportunity upon his return. In information revealed to us, the former Atalanta youngster is determined to stay and fight for his place at the Theatre of Dreams, although the decision may be taken out of his hands.
Ten Hag’s struggling United side are desperately crying out for creativity, but the boss is keen on keeping faith with his senior stars. The likes of Antony, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Facundo Pellistri and Jadon Sancho are all capable of playing off the right wing – Amad’s favoured position – although the latter has currently been frozen out of the squad.
With the Red Devils faltering, the former Ajax gaffer wants experience to see him out of the current crisis, meaning a loan move for the second half of the season is on the cards for the winger. However, there is currently a ‘low probability’ of a return to Wearside, with Manchester United remaining steadfast in their view that he needs to try his hand in a higher-ranked league.
Sunderland have made no secret of the fact that they would like to see the attacker return to the club, with it being reported earlier this year that Amad’s preference would be to once again link up with Tony Mowbray should he fail to obtain a starting berth at the 20-time English champions.
Whilst a move to the Championship outfit has not been totally ruled out, it is looking increasingly unlikely. In the meantime, Mowbray will be hoping he can keep hold of his current stars – such as Jack Clarke – amid interest from the Premier League.
