The uncomfortable truth about Amad Diallo

Whilst the romantic in me wants to believe Sunderland have a chance of signing Amad in January, I’m setting my expectations low in order to avoid being disappointed.

Amad Diallo and Sunderland AFC are a match made in heaven.

It’s obvious that there is a unique bond of affection between Amad and the fans, and that bond will never fade. Without a question, he will be remembered as one of the best loan signings in this football club’s history, if not THE best.

He went out with us in great terms during the summer, and ever since his final match wearing a Sunderland shirt in the playoff semifinal against Luton, there has been a sense that he would wear a red and white shirt again at some stage. Many have persuaded themselves that this January could see the occurrence of such a comeback.

However, I can’t help but believe that this is an uncomfortable truth that we are neglecting.

The Amad we signed for the previous season is not the same as the Amad of today. He was far from being a member of Manchester United’s first team, lacking confidence after a very disappointing loan at Glasgow Rangers, and in desperate need of a legitimate chance to establish himself and show his abilities.

He certainly did that with us, and Wearside had a far better player when he departed than when he arrived. One who, in my opinion, will now regularly play football for Manchester United’s first team.

It is obvious to anyone who has watched Manchester United this season that Amad would be a big asset to the team. With Rashford, Garnacho, and Antony, they’ve just scraped by this season, while Jadon Sancho was sold away after losing favor with Erik Ten Hag. Though Antony is a manager’s favorite and has a hefty price tag, no one can persuade me that he’s better than Amad. Rashford is a confirmed top class player who has been horribly out of form for significant portions of the season. He doesn’t produce or score goals and is a painful one-footed player. In terms of abilities, Amad is far superior to him.

Amad has been treated cruelly by time since, if he hadn’t suffered a major injury during the preseason, I have no doubt that he would have participated in nearly every game the Red Devils have played this season, either as a starter or as a substitute. I would argue that he would have played on a similar basis to Garnacho.

Amad cost €40 million, as most of us are aware, therefore Manchester United will eventually want to see a return on their investment.

Considering that they need skilled wide players in their lineup, is it really the smartest course of action to send him back on loan to the Championship?

I have a good feeling that if Amad was made available for loan, a lot of Premier League teams would be eager to sign him. In their opinion, Amad would be better off putting his skills to the test by playing frequently in the top flight than he would by continuing to do what he has done and going back to the Championship where he has already more than proven himself.

I don’t enjoy bringing all of this up, but I think it’s important to mention.

The leaked private messages between a Sunderland fan and Amad on Tuesday night were very clear – he stated that if he was going to go to a Championship club on loan, he wouldn’t go anywhere else but to Sunderland.

In the words of Lloyd Christmas… “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance?”

Of course there’s a chance. Even if it’s slim, there’s a chance.

But if it happens I’m sure it’ll all be last minute, chaotic and emotional.

I wouldn’t hang your hat on that, that’s all. The club’s desire to have him return, despite their extreme desperation, is entirely subordinate to Manchester United’s. There isn’t really much Sunderland can do if they believe he can play a part for the rest of the season. If you accept what Simon Jones of the Daily Mail said on Tuesday, which has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, then that is regrettably their intention.

Hey… Well, at least he won’t be heading to Middlesbrough.