Manchester United must ignore obvious Amad temptation next season

Manchester United’s Amad was described as ‘a beacon of light, playing at the Stadium of Light’ when he scored at the weekend.

Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray rubbed his eyes in disbelief and their supporters were sent into pandemonium. Sunderland fans have been wary of falling in love with a loan player but Amad has been deemed worth the heartache.

Amad’s goal against Luton in the semi-final of the Championship playoffs was outstanding and it came just a week after his stunning, first-time strike against Preston, which ensured Sunderland would have a crack at promotion from the Championship.

Just as the commentator on Sky Sports suggested, Amad has been the brightest light at Sunderland this season and he’s enjoyed a genuinely impressive loan, contributing 13 goals and three assists to get his side into the playoffs.

United believed they were signing a future star when signing Amad for £19million rising to £37m – a large transfer fee for an 18-year-old who had only played nine times – from Atalanta in 2020 and he’s now striving to reach his potential.

The youngster’s loan to Rangers did not work last season but Sunderland have seen the best of him. The likeable Mowbray has expertly overseen the youngest team in the Championship and he’s been superb for Amad’s development.

Amad has made 28 league starts in one of the world’s most physically demanding leagues and his skill, dribbling ability and energy have made him exciting to watch, although Sunderland fans won’t have that privilege for much longer.

When Sunderland’s involvement in the playoffs is over, Amad will make the trip to Wembley to watch the FA Cup final on June 3 and after the chance for a summer break, he will report to Carrington for the beginning of pre-season.

United have pre-season matches lined up and a United States tour will follow. Amad will get the opportunity to show Erik ten Hag exactly where he currently is and a decision on his future will be made from there.

The player wants to be involved in the first-team next season and supporters have buzzed over that prospect on the back of a few sensational goals in the Championship, but another loan to a Premier League club could be the best option.

Antony is the first choice on the right wing and considering Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho both play on the left, it seems likely Jadon Sancho, who has become a bit of an enigma, will be fighting for a start on the right.

Sancho’s time at Old Trafford is yet to ignite but he’s more polished than Amad. The winger contributed 50 goals and 64 assists for Borussia Dortmund, he’s represented England and there have glimmers of his talent in Manchester.

It would be a genuine shock to see Amad usurp Sancho in the pecking order, despite the player falling down the ladder himself. That is highly unlikely to happen next season and that suggests another loan would be the best option for Amad.

Amad has taken a promising leap forward with regular game time and he needs another season under his belt. He’s only due to celebrate his 21st birthday in July and anyone who has closely watched him at Sunderland will understand he’s raw.

Away from the stunning goals that he’s scored, which have regularly gone viral on social media, Amad has shown he’s still got plenty to work on. That is completely normal for someone his age and more first-team football will serve him well.

There have been times this season when Amad needed to be more aware of his defensive responsibilities out of possession and journalists in the North East have noted his teammates telling him where he needs to be positionally.

He’s not the finished product and a loan in the Premier League will be more beneficial than sporadic involvement at United. Sunderland could yet achieve promotion to the top flight and providing they do, it would make sense for Amad to re-sign.

That would also delay their fans’ heartbreak of knowing Amad is not their player for at least another year.