logo
logo
Amad Diallo #16 of Sunderland celebrates scoring a goal during the Sky Bet Championship match Birmingham City vs Sunderland at St Andrews, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 11th November 2022

‘Absolutely f*cking brilliant’: Man Utd’s Amad Diallo has Sunderland fans raving after MOTM masterclass

Planet Football •

Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo seems to be unlocking his potential, having produced an absolutely brilliant performance in Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Birmingham City on Friday night.

The winger, who is out on loan at the Stadium of Light this season, produced some individual brilliance to assist Ellis Simms’ opening goal midway through the first half.

And in the opening stages of the second half, Diallo scored a stunning goal. He showed intelligence to time his run and dynamism to burst forward and receive the ball on the edge of the box. To then cut inside and finish perfectly with a beautiful curling effort suggested that the youngster might just be the real deal.

“Two moments of individual quality right up there with anything you’ll see at the level. Took five players out of the game to assist Simms for the opener, before scoring a brilliant individual effort in the second half. Did plenty of hard work, too, before going off with what appeared to be an eye injury,” wrote Phil Smith in his player ratings for the Sunderland Echo, awarding Diallo a 9/10 for the performance.

“Played a major part in the team going two-nil up thanks to a great assist and an even better goal before taking a knock to the eye and needing to be subbed,” wrote Andy Tomlinson in Sunderland fansite Roker Report‘s player ratings – giving Diallo another 9/10 and naming him man of the match.

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray confirmed that a knock to the eye was causing the Ivory Coast international discomfort and issues with his visibility, resulting in him being substituted in the 66th minute, but that he didn’t believe it was anything to worry about.

Diallo now has three goals in his last five appearances for the Wearside club, and now seems to be enjoying his best-sustained spell of form since signing for Manchester United almost two years ago.

At Atalanta, he was regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in Europe, but he’s struggled to consistently realise that potential with cameos in United’s first team, their youth set-up and out on loan at Rangers last season.

The 20-year-old rising star didn’t immediately hit the ground running at the Stadium of Light, but has real momentum behind him now.

“Diallo is an amazing footballer,” Mowbray told reporters after the final whistle.

“He’s come to the party. I think there’s an understanding that this kid has real talent and deserves to be well-respected within the team.

“Someone told me he cost £37mllion and I find it difficult to believe he’s at Sunderland.

“For me to pick Diallo ahead of Patrick Roberts when I’d said he was the best player in the league is big.

“But Diallo’s training has been unbelievable, how fast he is, how direct he is and how good he is with the ball.

“You look at his physical data in every match in the last three or four games, he’s been the highest distance covered, the highest sprint distance covered, the highest high-intensity energy runs.

“He scored a wonderful goal but we see him do that every day.”

We’ve collated some of the best bits and reactions from Sunderland fans to last night’s stunning man-of-the-match performance.

READ NEXT: Amad Diallo and a pirouette to give Man Utd fans hope for the future

Manchester United Sunderland Amad Diallo Quick Reads