Watch: Man Utd loanee Amad Diallo scores absolute peach for Sunderland
Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo scored an absolute peach of a goal as he produced a man-of-the-match performance in Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Birmingham last night.
Diallo first arrived at Old Trafford in January 2021 with a reputation as one of the most promising prospects in European football. He’s since scored for the Red Devils and shown flashes of his quality in the youth team, but there’s been a sense that we’re still waiting for the 20-year-old winger to consistently unlock his potential.
He had his moments during a half-season loan at Rangers last term, but struggled to nail down a regular starting spot.
After it became clear that he wasn’t in Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans this season, Diallo was sent out on a season-long loan to Championship club Sunderland.
The Ivory Coast international had a slow start to life at the Stadium of Light, and was even made to play for their Under-21s, but he’s kicked on and is now one of the Black Cats’ standout individuals.
He’s scored three goals in his last five appearances for the Wearside club, and assisted Ellis Simms’ opener against Birmingham.
Diallo doubled Sunderland’s lead by producing a sensationally-timed run, demonstrating his pace and dynamism, before darting into the box, cutting inside and finishing with aplomb – his effort curled beautifully just inside the post.
“Diallo is an amazing footballer,” said Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray.
“He’s come to the party. I think there’s an understanding that this kid has real talent and deserves to be well-respected within the team.
“Someone told me he cost £37million and I find it difficult to believe he’s at Sunderland.
“For me to pick Diallo ahead of Patrick Roberts when I’d said he was the best player in the league is big.
“But Diallo’s training has been unbelievable, how fast he is, how direct he is and how good he is with the ball.
“You look at his physical data in every match in the last three or four games, he’s been the highest distance covered, the highest sprint distance covered, the highest high-intensity energy runs.
“He scored a wonderful goal but we see him do that every day.”
Diallo was brought off in the 66th minute and a short while later Lukas Jutkiewicz pulled one back for the hosts, but Sunderland held on to claim all three points, moving up into the top half of the second tier in the process.
"A moment of MAGIC!" 🔮✨
Amad Diallo that is superb! 😍 pic.twitter.com/h02qerh3Ib
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 11, 2022