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Sunderland's Amad Diallo reacting after the goal by team-mate Jack Clarke (not in picture) is disallowed during the Sky Bet Championship match at Vicarage Road, Watford. Picture date: Saturday September 17, 2022.

Watch: Man Utd loanee Amad Diallo scores first goal for Sunderland

Manchester United’s Amad Diallo is off the mark in his loan stint at Sunderland.

Diallo scored the opening goal as the Black Cats took on Vincent Kompany’s Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

The youngster had a relatively simple finish but made no mistake, having found himself unmarked in the box after good work from former Leeds and Tottenham winger Jack Clarke.

Having established a reputation as one of the most promising young attackers in Europe, Manchester United sanctioned a £37million transfer back in January 2021.

The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international has shown flashes during his appearances for the Red Devils’ youth team and out on loan at Rangers last season, but he’s yet to find consistency at a senior level.

“He just needs to bring it all together, really, and the team needs to know that when he is on the pitch he is going to help us win football matches rather than flit in and out of the games,” Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray said earlier this week.

“He needs to work hard, he needs to run back as well as forward, he needs to tackle and challenge for headers. The crowd needs to see that as well, and I think he can then enjoy his time here.”

Diallo has endured a slow start to life at the Stadium of Light. He’s only made two Championship starts for Sunderland and was even demoted to their Under-21s for a Premier League 2 defeat to Leeds United’s youngsters, but he seems to be finding his feet now.

“He’s not an emotional type, he seems to take it all in his stride. Sometimes I’m bashing him on the back saying ‘come on son, shot, shot, shot, stop trying to nutmeg everyone’!” Mowbray added after Diallo’s eye-catching performance in Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Wigan last weekend. 

“I’m just trying to gee him up, because he is a very laid-back individual. Sometimes, with the emotional players, you can see the fire in their belly and how much it means to them.”

“He’s not an emotional type, he seems to take it all in his stride. Sometimes I’m bashing him on the back saying ‘come on son, shot, shot, shot, stop trying to nutmeg everyone’! I’m just trying to gee him up, because he is a very laid-back individual. Sometimes, with the emotional players, you can see the fire in their belly and how much it means to them.”

It wasn’t to be his day in the end. Sunderland went on to double their lead, but Burnley produced a brilliant second-half comeback to win 4-2 at the Stadium Of Light.


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