After several departures over the summer, Manchester United were left light in wide areas and they addressed that by signing Antony, who followed Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford from Ajax.
United confirmed the arrival of Amad Diallo two years ago but the Ivorian, who prefers to play on the right-hand side, is yet to enjoy a breakthrough in the first team.
The former Atalanta youngster spent the second half of last season on loan at Rangers and although that will be an invaluable experience, he will be disappointed with the outcome of his spell in Scotland.
After taking part in pre-season under Ten Hag, the decision was made for the winger to leave on loan again, this time joining Championship club Sunderland.
Amad has been eased into the side on Wearside and he was handed his first start earlier this week. He lasted just 58 minutes before being brought off, however.
Speaking after the game, Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray criticised Amad for his decision-making in front of goal, arguing that the United youngster needs to shoot more instead of dribbling.
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“We need him to shoot more. It’s something I tell him every single day,” Mowbray is quoted as saying by The Northern Echo.
“It’s almost as if he wants to score a brilliant perfect goal. He faints to shoot, sits somebody down, skips passed the next one, faints to shoot and the goalie dives and he rolls it in the corner. We all then go ‘wow’.
“He’s in the middle of the box on his favoured left foot ten yards out. He has just got to smash that in, and he waits for the defender to come so he can skip passed him.”
Sunderland failed to find a breakthrough in the game against Blackpool as the two teams played out a 0-0 stalemate.
Make no mistake about it, this season is absolutely crucial for Amad’s development. Another campaign in the wilderness of the loan market could seriously damage his future at Old Trafford.
The potential is there for everyone to see but unfortunately, that does not always mean that you are given the chance to cement a place in United’s first-team squad.
