Manchester United might have two players fighting for one role next season

Though the question was about Amad's Manchester United future, the answer was not necessarily limited to just his.

Erik ten Hag, after taking his seat inside the Carrington media suite last week, was quizzed about Amad and how he could figure in his plans next season after an eye-catching season-long loan spell at Sunderland.

"Of course, we loan such players to make development and make progress to bring them back, that is the aim of the loan," said Ten Hag. "So we are really strong with them, we mentor them, we follow them, we have communication over the season, especially Darren Fletcher (technical director) invests a lot in such processes, the aim is to bring them back but as a better player with experience."

READ MORE: Alvaro Fernandez addresses his United future

Amad has lit up the Championship this season, standing head and shoulders above almost every other player in the division, certainly in terms of technical ability. He has been the jewel in United's loan crown this term and their decision to send him to the Stadium of Light last August has been the making of him.

He was one of several youngsters the Reds decided to send out last summer and one of four players snapped up by Championship clubs. While Ethan Laird and Hannibal Mejbri offered glimpses of their capabilities at QPR and Birmingham City, respectively, Alvaro Fernandez ranked second on the Reds' loan success scale.

He has spent the duration of this campaign at Preston North End, helping Ryan Lowe's side finish a respectable 12th in the table. Like it was for Hannibal, Fernandez's season-long switch to Deepdale was his first loan spell of his senior career.

He joined United from Real Madrid in September 2020 at the tender age of 17 and was almost