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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United preparing for Amad's return to squad

Amad will be invited to attend the FA Cup final ahead of a possible role in the Manchester United squad next season.

It is understood Amad has had a Cup final suit reserved in his measurements for the showpiece occasion against Manchester City on June 3.

United want Amad to feel involved as he prepares to return to the squad ahead of the pre-season tour of the United States.

Also read: Garnacho could get a chance to respond to Ten Hag's challenge

Amad, 20, has been in scintillating form during his season-long loan with Sunderland, scoring 13 goals and tallying three assists in 37 Championship appearances. Amad was also named Sunderland's young player of the season.

The Cote d'Ivoire international's opening goal in Monday's 3-0 win over Preston North End helped secure a play-off place for Sunderland, who will face Luton Town in their two-legged semi-final.

The Championship play-off final is scheduled for Saturday May 27 - a week before the FA Cup final.

United signed Amad from Atalanta on transfer deadline day in October 2020 for a fee rising to £37million. The winger has only made nine first-team appearances, having joined Rangers on loan midway through last season.

Amad came on in four of United's six pre-season friendlies, scoring against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford. United manager Erik ten Hag decided against recalling Amad from Sunderland in January as he did not want to halt Amad's development.

"We consider everything but I have a little bit of reservation about [recalling Amad] because I don’t want to stop the process," Ten Hag said. "He has made really good progress there so I’m happy with that.

"But young players need experiences and when we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting XI or minimum to come on for a lot of games and make an impact.

"I didn’t see him in the starting XI or a player who had already had an impact (in pre-season). But I see and value and his potential and capabilities.

"What I saw is that he needs experience in men’s football, senior football. I think there are many aspects of football to get strong physically and mentally, and also skills-wise, to improve and develop that so he can have value for us."

Paul Smith, United's suit designer, have tailored the FA Cup final suits in what is due to be only the second game United players have attended a match in formal wear in the last three years.

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