Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has admitted that he is mystified by the fact the Championship club managed to sign Manchester United youngster Amad on loan last summer.
The Ivorian, who joined United from Italian outfit Atalanta for £37million a little over two years ago, joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan deal back in August. The winger had spent the second half of last season on loan at Scottish giants Rangers and had struggled to make an impact, meaning it was clear he would benefit from a season-long stint at one club earning frequent opportunities.
Though he was tasked with playing a patient game in his first few weeks on Wearside, Amad has gone from strength-to-strength as the season has developed, becoming one of Mowbray's most important players. He has scored seven goals and grabbed three assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.
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Part of an exciting pool of attacking options, Amad has played a key role in the Black Cats' push for the play-offs this term, as they look to try and secure a second successive promotion. Often linking up with the likes of other versatile attackers Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke, Mowbray has waxed lyrical about the United loanee, as well as the other two aforementioned players.
"How on earth Patrick Roberts was playing in League One [last season], I'll never know," Mowbray told Football League World. "This kid is a Premier League footballer, he was playing in League One.
"Amad Diallo, how on earth we got him on loan is amazing because he is like a magician. We've got some wonderful players.
"Jack Clarke cost Tottenham £10million from Leeds United. We've got some really highly talented footballers and they just needed loving and telling how great they were and they are just blossoming into the players I know they are."
Sunderland, who won promotion to the Championship via the League One play-off final last season, are currently fifth in the second tier. The Black Cats have won three of their last four league games, featuring a 3-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road on Tuesday evening, in which Amad stepped off the bench to claim an assist.
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