Amad Diallo may already provide Jadon Sancho answer at Manchester United

When one door closes, another opens - and that could certainly be said about Amad Diallo’s situation at Manchester United.

With Jadon Sancho banished from the squad and Antony misfiring, the Ivorian could be handed a golden opportunity at Old Trafford. In truth, it is hard to call Amad lucky given developments in recent months.

The winger put himself into contention the hard way by shining on loan at Sunderland last season. Erik ten Hag enjoyed a solid debut campaign as manager but, in the background, optimism was growing about a youngster on the books who was ripping up the Championship.

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An impressive 14 goals across all competitions announced the winger to English football and forced his way into Ten Hag’s reckoning for the 2023-24 campaign. Those dreams would come crashing down in the first pre-season game against Arsenal when Amad suffered a brutal knee injury.

Just days earlier, club legend Andy Cole backed him to usurp Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial. He said: “Amad Diallo could be the player to replace Anthony Martial or Jadon Sancho. He’s had a fantastic loan at Sunderland and Tony Mowbray has sung his praises.

“Diallo looks like a good kid too and I hope he can have an impact at Manchester United. This loan period has worked out really well and now he has the opportunity to compete with players like Sancho and Martial from the bench.”

That setback robbed Amad of the chance to stake a claim at Old Trafford in a season when Ten Hag has shown faith in youth. Hannibal Mejbri and Kobbie Mainoo have broken through the ranks this season, giving United’s more established guard a run for