Amad can give Erik ten Hag three different options at Manchester United next season

Less than 12 months after beating Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final, Sunderland could soon be preparing for another visit to Wembley.

The Black Cats, who spent four seasons languishing in England's third tier, kept their hopes of achieving a top-six finish in the Championship this term alive on Saturday, beating Birmingham City 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Manchester United loanee Amad netted a terrific winner with just 15 minutes of normal time left on the clock, moving them to within two points off the play-off places.

It marked the Ivorian's 12th goal of the season, all of which have come in the Championship, meaning Sunderland's supporters are slowly preparing themselves for an emotional goodbye ahead of their season concluding next month, either on May 8 or at Wembley a few weeks later. In a campaign that has seen the Black Cats deprived of star striker Ross Stewart for almost all of it through injury, Amad has stepped up and established himself as one of the division's most dangerous operators.

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The 20-year-old, who joined United from Italian club Atalanta in January 2021 for £37million, has been a joy to watch for anyone with the slightest interest in the Championship this season, often lighting up games in the blink of an eye. His fearless approach and silky skills have meant that he has captured the hearts of second tier fanatics and there is a good chance he could be crowned the division's Young Player of the Year at the annual EFL awards this coming Sunday.

Although Amad, currently, will be fully focused on trying to keep Sunderland's dream of achieving a second successive promotion alive in their four remaining games,