The winger for Manchester United, Amad, will be looking to make his first start of the year against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round.
Amad will be going for his first competitive start in nearly eight months when Manchester United takes on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday night.
The winger last started a match on May 16 of the previous year, when Sunderland’s hopes of winning the Premier League were dashed. The Black Cats lost the rematch 2-0 at Kenilworth Road despite winning the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final 2-1 at the Stadium of Light against Luton Town.
After a very successful loan period, the Ivorian’s 42nd and last outing in a Sunderland shirt came to an end with that loss. Sunderland’s supporters were not ready to let him go after his outstanding performance and goals during his first loan spell in England.
Because of how successful his stint at Sunderland had been, the 21-year-old returned to Old Trafford in the summer with the goal of securing a spot in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup. Before being named in the team for the official tour of the United States, he started the opening two preseason friendly between United and Leeds United and Lyon.
For the former Atalanta player, the tour felt like an audition period, therefore it was devastating when he had to leave the game after just 14 minutes due to a major knee injury he sustained during their opening game.
Amad’s farewell game wearing United colours was the 2-0 victory against Arsenal in New Jersey on July 22. He will not play for United again until December 30. Last weekend, Amad made his much anticipated return against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Nine minutes into the second half, he replaced Antony off the bench and showed glimpses of his potential.
After taking that initial step back, Amad’s next goal is to make his United debut in a competitive match for the first time since a One to one Champions League draw with BSC Young Boys in December 2021. At first glance, the journey to Wigan on Monday night seems like the ideal chance for him to attempt and make a lasting impression.
It would provide Amad a chance to accumulate more playing time against weaker opposition and try to set the stage for future possibilities in the Premier League. An other option wouldn’t hurt because United’s wingers haven’t been very creative or prolific this season.
For the first time this season, Amad has a legitimate chance to start, and he already knows what he needs to do to establish himself as a mainstay in Ten Hag’s schemes. This is because the Dutchman addressed what every young player needs to provide when returning from a stint out on loan at this point last season, when United could have called up the winger if they had wanted to.
