Why Sunderland fans love Man United’s Amad Diallo as if he were one of their own
Amad Diallo will forever be remembered fondly for what he achieved during his Sunderland loan stint.
Diallo joined Sunderland on deadline day in 2022 from Man United after a failed loan spell with Rangers the season before.
While he got off to a steady start in the North East, the Ivory Coast international went on to become one of the Black Cats’ greatest ever signings.
On Saturday, Diallo could face the Wearsiders at Old Trafford as Regis Le Bris’ side strives to mount pressure on Ruben Amorim.
Indeed, when his name is read out on the tannoy, expect the loudest cheer to come from the away end.
Amad Diallo was adored by Sunderland supporters during loan spell
Diallo has always looked back at Sunderland with love, and it is a relationship that goes both ways.
When the winger arrived on Wearside, I was aware of his £30million plus price tag and the fact that he had performed admirably for Atalanta.
However, no part of me thought he would go on to achieve the status he holds amongst the Sunderland faithful today.
Indeed, it was a slow start for Diallo, who went eight games without notching a single goal contribution in the Championship.
However, something clicked at the back end of October as the Ivorian ignited a spell that elevated not only his own performances, but the entire team.
- Diallo made 42 appearances in all competitions
- He scored 14 goals
- Bagged four assists
Diallo was simply a magician on his day, with his dribbling, close control, and first touch a rare sighting in England’s second tier.
The right-winger formed a formidable partnership with Patrick Roberts, and their brains just seemed to be intertwined in Tony Mowbray’s system.
While this moment did not lead to promotion, the Ivorian’s free-kick goal against Luton Town in the play-offs is rubber-stamped in my mind as his greatest moment in red and white.
Things have taken a turn for the worse for Amad Diallo at Man United
While Diallo was superb at times for Man United last season, his time at Old Trafford is slowly spiralling into nothingness.
It was when Amorim arrived in the North West that the 23-year-old’s form really took off, triggering a flurry of goal contributions.
Across November and December, the Ivory Coast international notched seven goal contributions in six Premier League matches, with a goal and assist against Man City the cherry on top.
However, this term has taken a downward trajectory because of Amorim, which is ironic given how many times he got his manager out of jail last season.
The arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have shifted Diallo to right-wing-back, meaning that his immense talent has been wasted in a waning system.
Furthermore, even the supporters have been on his back after the winger swapped shirts with Alejandro Garnacho following United’s win over Chelsea.
Why Amad Diallo could soon return to Sunderland
While Diallo would have been a dream signing for Sunderland, his arrival on Wearside is looking increasingly likely as time ticks by.
The right-winger comes across as a soft and kind-natured young man, but his treatment by Red Devils ‘supporters’ is quite frankly pathetic.
Indeed, it would be unsurprising if the reaction to the Garnacho incident is on his mind and if he were wishing he received the same loving treatment that he did on Wearside.
It looks as though Diallo could get squeezed out at Old Trafford, and if the Ivorian falls further out of favour, then the Black Cats should be primed to pounce.
Sunderland have already demonstrated that they are in the Premier League for the long haul, and if they secure survival, the United man may well be on their shopping list.
The Wearsiders spent substantially in the summer, with Habib Diarra their record signing for £30m, but why not surpass that figure for Diallo?
Diallo and the Black Cats share a bond that is rare in football, and the young man is more than welcome to strengthen that when the time comes.
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