Manchester United loanee Amad scored a cracking consolation goal for Sunderland on Saturday to continue his tremendous form.
The Ivorian wonderkid, 20, is enjoying this season on Wearside and has come of age under Tony Mowbray. Amad, who joined United from Atalanta in a £37m transfer deal two-and-a-half years ago, boasts eight goals and two assists across 27 appearances in the Championship, with his latest contribution coming in a 2-1 defeat away to fellow promotion contenders Coventry City.
With Sunderland trailing by two goals in the 94th minute, the United starlet provided some short-lived hope by firing in a spectacular strike past Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson. Cutting inside on his favoured left foot around 16 yards out on the right-hand side of the penalty area, Amad curled an effort beyond static 'keeper Wilson to stun the 21,000-plus crowd.
Unfortunately for the 20-year-old winger, his magic proved to be too little, too late, as Mowbray's men suffered their second successive loss. With Sunderland's red-hot winter form now beginning to cool, Amad had gone seven games without a goal, despite a series of impressive all-round performances.
His lesser output has prompted some criticism, but the Black Cats boss isn't having any of it. "I wouldn't criticise Amad," Mowbray was quoted as saying by the Chronicle Live. "I'd struggle to pick a team without him, although he went through a really hot spell where he scored just about every game for a few weeks.
"I still think he massively contributes to our team and the way we function, even though he's a kid who had never played regular football really – he played a handful of games for Atalanta, a handful at Man United, went to Rangers on loan and didn't play much, and then came here.
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"It's the first time ever in his life that he has played men's football week-in, week-out, and it will be very demanding on him. It’s not surprising that sometimes he doesn’t quite hit the pinnacle of his brilliance that he can bring, because he’s been playing just about every three days."
Amad's form hasn't gone unnoticed by United manager Erik ten Hag, who's hinted that the Atalanta academy product is part of his long-term plans at Old Trafford. In January, when Amad started to truly come to the fore at Sunderland, Ten Hag was asked whether he'd consider recalling him for the second half of United's campaign.
"We consider everything," the Dutchman replied. "But I have a little bit of reservation about that because I don't want to stop the process. He's made really good progress there so I’m happy with that. When we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting line-up or come on for a lot of games and make an impact."
Amad's next chance to impress Ten Hag will be when Sunderland host Stoke City next Saturday.
