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Manchester Evening News
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Kyle Newbould

'My dream' - Everything Amad and Erik ten Hag have said about Manchester United loanee's future

Amad could be set to make the step up to Manchester United's first team next season.

The 20-year-old has spent this season on loan at Championship outfit Sunderland, enjoying an outstanding season in the second tier with 13 goals and three assists in 37 league appearances. Goal No.13 came in Monday's 3-0 win over Preston North end, a victory that secured a play-off place for the Black Cats.

MEN Sport understands that Amad has had an FA Cup final suit reserved in his measurements, with United wanting him to feel involved in the June 3 clash with Manchester City ahead of this summer's pre-season tour of the United States.

ALSO READ: United preparing for Amad's return to squad

What United's plans are for Amad going into next season remains to be seen, but the player and both of his managers, Erik ten Hag and Tony Mowbray, have had plenty to say on the matter in the past.

Below, we've rounded up what has been said by Amad as well as his Ten Hag and Mowbray about the player's future.

Amad

Speaking after his side secured a play-off place on Monday, Amad opened up on his future and hinted it could involve a return to the Stadium of Light: "Playing against Luton [in the play-offs] is very hard but I hope we’ll be in the Premier League next season and maybe I’ll come back, I don’t know. We are happy to win the game. We are focused on the play-off and I hope maybe we will be in the Premier [League]."

But the Cote d'Ivoire international has also made no secret of his ultimate desire, as he told FourFourTwo in April: “I know [the transfer fee to join United in 2020] was a lot of money, but I didn’t really think about that; there’s no reason to worry about things you can’t influence.

“I was so happy to sign for Manchester United: it’s a club with a massive history, famous all around the world. I haven’t shown my best for them yet, but I hope next season I can return and prove my talent. My dream is to play regular football at Manchester United."

Erik ten Hag

The Dutchman has rarely spoken directly about Amad, but United's plans to involve the winger in the FA Cup build-up and this summer's pre-season tour suggests next season could present a chance of first-team football.

Asked in January whether he thought about recalling Amad for the second half of the season, the Reds boss urged his loan star to earn a place in his plans: "We consider everything but I have a little bit of reservation about [recalling Amad] because I don’t want to stop the process. 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."

Tony Mowbray

Sunderland manager Mowbray has never been one to hide away from praising Amad, and he was asked about the youngster shortly before their final game against Preston, with United loan manager Les Parry visited the Academy of Light recently.

Ahead of their final game, Mowbray was asked about Amad last week and explained the Black Cats' stance to the Sunderland Echo: "They know how hugely successful this loan has been, on the back of a not so successful one. Ultimately, it will be Ten Hag's decision.

"These clubs have a lot of players on loan and they're either blooding them to go back and play for Man United, or they are building a value in them so that someone comes and offers £10million or however much it may be for them. If they do that with a few players, all of a sudden the money is there to go and get that superstar from Juventus or wherever who goes into that first team.

"That's how I see his situation. Listen, it would be great if we could say 'he's done really well here, let's keep that story going for another year'.

"I think the kid would happily come back here, he's enjoying it, all the players are of a similar age, they respect him and the fans love him, he plays every week and he scores. What's not to like about that? Well, he has a Man United salary at this moment [rather than a Sunderland one].

"At this moment, I expect him to go on the pre-season tour with Manchester United and then they will decide what the best thing is for him to do next. Let's hope the phone rings sometime in July."

Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup Final print supplement by clicking here.

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