Amad is lighting up the Championship with some brilliant performances while at Sunderland on loan, boosting his chances at Man United upon his return.
Manchester United’s first-team squad is certainly playing better under Erik ten Hag, with different players coming to the fore. Look at how well Marcus Rashford is now playing, for instance…
Some players inevitably had to leave on loan in order to get their minutes, though. One player who falls into that bracket is Amad. The winger, who scored on debut for United a couple of years ago, has rarely been seen since. Many were disappointed at his lack of minutes given the super expensive price tag.
Amad is playing his football for Sunderland on loan this term. He’d start life slowly under Tony Mowbray. Though, week on week, Amad began to grow and learn. Credit to the Black Cats boss, who publicly spoke out about Amad during both his good and bad moments. No doubt that has helped.
Over the last couple of months, we’ve certainly witnessed a different Amad. The man from the Ivory Coast is now playing with confidence, freedom, genuine intent. Quite frankly, he has been a joy to watch of late.
The 20-year-old United starlet is suddenly proving his worth, scoring five goals in seven games and looking like the immense talent that the club spent big to acquire. Perhaps all he needed was a little motivation from a manager like Mowbray. Either that, or it’s the regular minutes that have helped Amad kick it up a notch.
What I like most about Amad is that he knows he’s still got an awfully long way to go before he has ‘made it’. The hard work must not stop. This is the time where he needs to kick it up a notch and prove to Ten Hag that he does deserve a place in the squad next season.
Again, that’s going to be difficult. Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho sit above Amad in the pecking order. Anthony Elanga is probably just about ahead, too. Factor in the real possibility of a player like Cody Gakpo being signed and it’s still an uphill battle for Amad.
The good news? He absolutely has just as much talent and ability as everyone above him in that list. He’s also younger than most of them, too.
The bad news? There are only so many minutes to go around. No doubt pre-season will prove to be all-important for Amad. It’s when he will get his opportunity to impress Ten Hag up close and personal. Take that chance and earn your place within the squad. It really is that simple.
Right now, I genuinely believe it’s a 50/50 shot as to whether Amad will become a United regular. This brilliant form at Sunderland is absolutely helping his chances, though. Hopefully, he can keep it up for the remainder of the season.
Do you think Amad has what it takes to make it at Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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