The Ivorian has earned the right to step up to the plate at Old Trafford after lighting up the Championship with the Black Cats last season
Manchester United still have a right-wing problem, some 14 years after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo leave the club to join Real Madrid at the peak of his powers. The likes of Antonio Valencia, Wilfried Zaha, Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria were all brought in to fill that void, but none of them came even close to making the same impact.
There was genuine hope that Jadon Sancho could buck the trend after his £73 million ($28m) move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but he's proven to be another great pretender. And then there's Antony, the polarising winger from Brazil who seems to have no right foot and favours style over substance.
Antony cost over £10m more than Sancho last summer as Erik ten Hag launched another successful raid on his former club Ajax, but was just as ineffective in his debut season at Old Trafford. And it's unlikely that the 23-year-old will suddenly transform into a match-winner next term.
But Ten Hag also now has another option at his disposal: Amad Diallo, who returned to Carrington last week after spending the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Sunderland. United initially agreed a £37m ($47m) deal with Atalanta for Amad when he was still just an 18-year-old in January 2021, and former head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described him as "one of the most exciting young prospects in the game".
Amad has not yet been given the platform to live up to that billing in Manchester, but he certainly deserves it after his short but memorable stint at the Stadium of Light. The Ivory Coast international was Sunderland's top scorer as they narrowly missed out on promotion after a play-off semi-final defeat to Luton Town, with one of his 14 goals coming in the first leg of that tie as he lashed home an unstoppable curling shot from 20 yards out.
Championship defences couldn't cope with Amad, and Premier League teams won't want to face him either. If United are going to improve on last season's third-place finish, they need someone who can pose a far greater threat down the right flank – and taking a calculated risk on Amad could pay off ten-fold.
Getty'He should be playing in tier one'
After Amad's failed loan spell at Rangers in the second half of the 2021-22 season, he needed to rebuild his confidence under a manager with full trust in his abilities and potential. Step forward Tony Mowbray, who pushed through Amad's move to Sunderland within two days of his appointment as Sunderland manager last August.
The Ivorian attacker gradually worked his way into Mowbray's line-up at the start of the season, and after scoring in a 4-2 loss at home to Burnley on October 22, he was asked to lead the line the following week at Luton. Amad didn't double his scoring account, but he was a menace all afternoon and played a vital role as Sunderland earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
“Amad was amazing today, amazing,” Mowbray said after the game. “Not just the saves he drew from their ‘keeper, but his intensity and aggression to win the ball back. I trusted him in central midfield at the end there, which says everything. Really impressive and that’s what he has to do.”
Amad went on to be involved in all four of the goals Sunderland scored in November, which earned him a Championship Player of the Month nomination and more praise from his manager. “You don’t get bought for £37 million unless you are an amazing talent," said Mowbray. "I watch him in training with our players and he does some extraordinary things with the ball, its stuck to his foot it’s unbelievable how talented he is."
Sunderland eventually earned a play-off spot because of Amad's inventiveness in the final third – and he became a cult hero among the club's die-hard fanbase. The Black Cats had not had a proper entertainer on their books for a long time; someone brave enough to run at defenders and play the risky passes that can deliver the biggest rewards.
Amad got the Stadium of Light on its feet week in, week out, not least because he seemed to be running his own goal of the season competition. In addition to his screamer against Luton in the play-offs, Amad also produced stunning long-range efforts against Wigan, Birmingham and Preston.
Naturally, Mowbray wanted to keep Amad at the club, and lamented the fact Sunderland didn't agree a two-year loan deal with United before their final game in the Championship league stage. But Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has since been refreshingly honest about the situation.
"He should be playing in tier one, in England, La Liga, Bundesliga, wherever," Speakman recently told the . "That's the level of player he is. The staff here, the players and supporters have helped him get back on that journey and hopefully that will attract more players to want to come to Sunderland."
AdvertisementGettyAmad vs Antony
Amad has returned to Old Trafford a more mature, well-rounded player, and that should be cause for concern for Antony. The Brazilian showboater made an impressive start to his United career, becoming the first new signing to score in three successive Premier League games, but it proved to be a false dawn.
United invested £85m ($111m) in Antony, which some club officials have privately conceded was too much, but he does have a number of useful attributes. Ten Hag has described him as a "fighter", which is reflected by how hard he works to win the ball back, and he boasts a wand of a left foot.
But the fact is, he is far too predictable going forward and lacks the end product United so sorely need. Antony also falls surprisingly short in the pace department, too often allowing defenders to get back at him on the occasions he is able to create a yard of space with a flashy piece of skill.
Amad is also predominantly left-footed, but he's far more capable on his right than Antony, which instantly gives him an advantage over the Brazilian. Aaron Wan-Bissaka will still be encouraged to overlap when Amad cuts inside, but the Ivorian also has the ability to take the ball down the line himself and deliver crosses.
Amad attempted 5.4 dribbles on average to Antony's 3.7 last season, and despite his smaller physical stature, he proved he can match the former Ajax man for strength on the ball during his stint in the Championship.
In fairness, Antony did create slightly more chances than Amad overall and averaged more shots at goal. But the 21-year-old has a far higher ceiling than Antony, and his explosive turn of pace could better help United exploit openings on the counter.
GettyAnother loan makes no sense
"We consider everything, but I have a little bit of reservation about that because I don’t want to stop the process," Ten Hag told reporters when asked about a potential recall for Amad in January.
"He's made really good progress there so I’m happy with that. When we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting line-up or come on for a lot of games and make an impact."
Amad clearly used the United manager's words as motivation on his way to being nominated for the Championship's Young Player of the Season award. He was controversially beaten to the prize by Bristol City's Alex Scott, and made his frustration clear on social media, but, crucially, Ten Hag had already been won over.
Ahead of United's final Premier League game against Wolves, the Dutchman was asked if Amad will be part of his plans upon his return to the club, to which he replied: "Yes, of course. We loan such players to let them develop and make progress, to bring them back. That is the aim of a loan. We are really strong on them in the matter of the way we mentor them. We follow them and we have communication through all the season."
Amad has been linked with another loan move, with his former club Atalanta reportedly considering a deal, but United have no reason to let him go again. He showed his mettle and quality in the Championship – a division that has proven too physically demanding for a whole host of other talented youngsters down the years.
And most importantly, Amad now feels ready to make an impact in Manchester. "I haven’t shown my best for them yet, but I hope next season I can return and prove my talent," he told in April. "My dream is to play regular football at Manchester United."
(C)Getty ImagesBold new era?
United have been in the market for a new striker, but at the moment, it's not clear whether they will have enough money available to close a deal for any of their top targets. Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen were reportedly top of the list, but Napoli and Tottenham value their prized assets at over £100m ($130m) respectively.
The Red Devils have seen their overall summer budget limited to £120m ($157m) due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, and £60m ($78m) of that has already been spent on Mason Mount. It has been reported that United are also now closing in on a £40m ($52m) deal for Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, which, not including any sales, would only leave them with £20m ($26m) left in the transfer kitty.
Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund has been sounded out for a move to Old Trafford, but the Serie A club are said to want at least £50m ($65m) for the 20-year-old Denmark international. Unless the Glazer family stops stalling on a potential sale of United, which would free up more funds, Ten Hag won't be able to strengthen his squad further.
And if that proves to be the case, Marcus Rashford will almost certainly have to fill the No.9 spot in the Red Devils line-up once again. The England international reached 30 goals across all competitions for the first time in his career last term, with his best performances coming from the left wing.
But United don't have any other suitable candidates for a central striker berth. Anthony Martial looks set to be sold amid his ongoing struggles with injury, and Wout Weghorst has returned to Burnley after an unsuccessful loan spell.
It is vital that Rashford isn't forced to carry United's scoring burden again, and Amad's reintegration could help to relieve some of that pressure. His goal tally for Sunderland was remarkable considering the standard of the team and the fact he had never previously played in the Championship.
Amad would get a lot more chances in an advanced role for United, and he has the clinical edge to make the most of them. On the opposite side, meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho would be primed to replace Rashford as he moves further forward.
The Argentine is fearless, quick and has a good eye for goal, as evidenced by his star turns in games against Fulham and Wolves in 2022-23. He also came on for a memorable cameo in United's FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City – which made supporters wonder why he didn't start.
If it's a toss-up between Sancho and Garnacho on the left, the 19-year-old should get the nod. And with Amad also causing havoc on the right while providing Rashford with quality service, the goals should start flowing more regularly for United.