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
I'd still want to keep Pat on side
Patrick Bamford has always been a player who divides opinion amongst Leeds supporters.
WHITES & THE BLADES SPEED ON
LEEDS and Sheffield United maintained their pace at the top of the table with comfortable home victories - but Sunderland slipped off the summit.
BAILEY: WE'LL GIVE POPPIES THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE
OWEN Bailey knows exactly how pumped up seventh-tier Kettering Town will be when Doncaster Rovers roll into ramshackle Latimer Park today.
TOWN EARN THEIR CORN!
HARROGATE mon Weaver breathed a sigh of relief after his side edged past Gainsborough Trinity at a rain-sodden Exercise Stadium.
OH MY JOSH - O'S KEEPER IS THE HERO!
RICHIE Wellens praised keeper Josh Keeley as Leyton Orient reached the third round following a dramatic win over National League Oldham.
'IT HASN'T BEEN MY WHOLE FOCUS AND THAT HELPED ME
SHAUN Barker never attempted to conceal the fact that he had no burning desire to play football.
MATT'S BOYS SHOW CLASS
WYCOMBE side-stepped a tricky second round fixture by defeating Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.
LUKE SEETHES OVER SLOPPY SWANS START
LUKE Williams admitted he gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time after seeing them come into the break trailing against bottom of the table Portsmouth.
UPSET FOR HARRIS AS TYLER HITS STUNNER
Neil Harris insisted the fact that Millwall were bitterly disappointed to claim only a point shows the progress his side have made over the past 10 months.
ANTE AT THE DOUBLE FOR ON-SONG CITY
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup paid tribute to the home fans after watching his side come through a tough test against Luton to win comfortably in the end.
