RUMOUR has it that Manchester United are preparing to axe almost half of their current squad this summer.
After an outstanding season in the Championship for Sunderland, Amad Diallo is unlikely to join the exodus.
Signed from Atalanta for a fee of £34m in 2021, the Ivorian winger struggled to settle in Manchester and flopped at Rangers before being sent on a make-or-break loan to the Stadium of Light.
When he was subsequently dropped to the Under-21s by Tony Mowbray in October, it appeared the Red Devils would be required to cut their losses.
Yet since returning to the first-team fold, the 20-year-old had, pre-weekend, scored 11 goals and made two more, electrifying Sunderland supporters with his pace, trickery and invention in a variety of forward roles.
Named Championship Player of the Month for December, Diallo is a shoo-in for the club’s internal player of the year award and was this week nominated for EFL Young Player of the Season alongside Bristol City’s Alex Scott and Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has kept a close eye on Diallo and is said to be increasingly convinced that the forward can improve his 25-man Premier League squad.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NUNEZ SPARKS ROUT OF IN-FORM TIGERS
NORWICH City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup was delighted with his side’s performance as they made it four wins in six games to maintain their climb up the table after a slow start.
SHAUN RUES SOFT LATICS' BORE DRAW
WIGAN manager Shaun Maloney had mixed emotions after his side drew at Stockport to make it six games unbeaten.
Bielik's words are own goal for Blues
IN MY early days at Brighton, we won back-to-back promotions and were practically unstoppable.
CLAIMS OF RACISM TO ASSISTANT MAR DRAW
PORTSMOUTH boss John Mousinho apologised to assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill for alleged discriminatory comments made from the stands during the draw with Oxford United.
WILDER'S PUSH FOR BIRTHDAY BOY RAK-SAKYI IS PAYING OFF
Hatters in slump as loan star hits brace
ARGYLE STUN ROVERS AFTER WAYNE SEES RED
PLYMOUTH assistant head coach Pete Shuttleworth praised Argyle’s never say-die attitude as the greens secured a last-minute win over high-flying Blackburn.
Former teen star is now real deal
FAMOUSLY, Karamoko Dembele was just 13 when he made his debut for Celtic’s under-20 side in 2016.
DERBY DATE SO VITAL FOR OMER
Interim boss has chance to boost bid
LINDSEY LINK-UP LIFTS LAURENCE!
LAURENCE Maguire has been reunited with Scott Lindsey at MK Dons - and believes his old boss is the right man to propel them into the League Two promotion shake-up.
I WANT TO ADD MORE ELLIOT
NEW Crawley Town boss Rob Elliot has promised evolution not revolution after stepping into the huge shoes vacated by Scott Lindsey.
