Former Sunderland loan man Amad Diallo was on the scoresheet for Manchester United vs Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
Diallo, 21, was Sunderland’s hero last season, scoring 14 goals in 39 Championship outings and helping to fire the Black Cats to an unexpected 6th place finish.
There was a lot of noise about his next move but he would remain at Old Trafford where he’s been in and out of the team under Erik ten Hag.
But the Ivorian international scored his first Premier League goal for the Red Devils on Wednesday night, doing so against Sunderland’s north-east rivals Newcastle United.
Diallo has now played in United’s last seven games after a season riddled with injury troubles, starting the last two.
He scored United’s second goal in a 3-2 win over Newcastle United, also recording the most shots, most shorts on target, most touches inside the opposition box, and completing the most take-ons.
And after the game, Diallo made a Sunderland-related comment.
Amad Diallo ‘scored for Sunderland’ against Newcastle United
After Manchester United secured a much-needed win over Newcastle, Diallo spoke to the BBC, saying: “I scored for Sunderland too.”
Manchester United now move level on points with Newcastle United in 7th; both on 57 points and both needing to close a three-point gap to Chelsea in 6th in order to secure Europa Conference League qualification next season.
Diallo then, after a very stop-start return to Manchester United this season, may well have scored an all important goal in his side’s quest for European football next season.
And it could mean Diallo himself playing in Europe next time round.
Why Sunderland may be rubbing their hands ahead of the summer
Diallo may well go on to shine next season. He’s working his way into the United team and his well-taken goal and overall performance vs Newcastle showcases his qualities in the final third.
And it comes after a strong loan spell with Sunderland, so United may well see Sunderland as a good place for them to send their youngsters.
There’s plenty of young Manchester United prospects looking for a breakthrough and perhaps looking for a new loan club in the summer months.
For the Black Cats though, it’ll all depend on who they manage to hire as their next manager this summer.
If the club fails to hire a good coach whom other clubs look fondly upon, then they may not only struggle to attract players from Manchester United for example, but for other clubs too.
