Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo scored a screamer on the final day of the Championship season to confirm a play-off spot for Sunderland — and fans are now calling for him to be given a look-in next season.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been a revelation at the Stadium of Light since completing a temporary switch from Man Utd last summer, with his fruitful spell yielding an impressive 16 direct scoring contributions in the Championship (13 goals, three assists), one of which came on the final day.
Tony Mowbray’s men travelled to Preston knowing a win would give themselves the best chance of sealing a play-off spot, and they duly delivered, dispatching the Lancashire club 3-0, with Diallo opening the scoring with a long-ranged strike straight out of the top drawer.
Further goals from Alex Pritchard and Jack Clarke confirmed the win and secured The Black Cats sixth after results elsewhere also went in their favour. They will now take on third-placed Luton Town in the fight for a place at Wembley, with the first leg of their play-off semi-final coming this Saturday at the Stadium of Light.
Diallo’s showing at the Deepdale naturally caught the attention of Man Utd fans, who will still be feeling dejected after their side fired a second consecutive blank in the Premier League after they lost to West Ham on Sunday. Diallo’s final-day heroics will only add to their desire for more firepower — and his form in the North East will certainly not have gone unnoticed by those in charge at Old Trafford as well.
Having joined Man Utd from a club that prioritises the development of youth, Erik ten Hag may be emboldened to embrace his inner Ajax philosophy when assessing Diallo this summer. The Ivory Coast international — who received Sunderland’s ‘Young Player of the Year’ award — will be hopeful of showcasing his worth in pre-season.
Before that, though, he will be polishing off his boots and hoping to produce another spectacle when Sunderland welcome Luton to Tyne and Wear this weekend, before they travel south for the return leg next Tuesday.
Diallo knows he has the capabilities of hurting Luton, having already bagged against them this campaign, with both clubs drawing 1-1 in each of their fixtures.