Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has been discussing the performances and future of Amad Diallo, after the Manchester United loanee helped them secure another three points over the weekend.
The Black Cats are currently sat in ninth in the table and just a few points off the playoff positions and no doubt one of their brightest sparks this season has been Amad, who joined on loan at the start of this season.
Just 20 years old, the Ivorian youngster had a couple of impressive cameos when he first arrived at United but struggled for game time. However, he has now become one of the most exciting players in the Championship and Mowbray believes he’s destined for big things.
Scoring an impressive solo goal in Sunderland‘s 2-1 win over Birmingham, head coach Mowbray labelled him an “amazing player” and admitted “it’s pretty unlikely” he’ll be staying at the Stadium of Light for a second season.
Continuing to wax lyrical after the game, the 59-year-old said, “I have a good feeling for Amad that if he’s not back at United he will go for big, big money to a top Spanish team.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Taking a pop at his parent club, he went on to add: “He loves football and wants to play so what do you do if you are at United? Are you happy just to be a Manchester United player and play six sub appearances and two starts over a season of 60 games for them? Or do you want to go out and play?”
Mowbray said that even if the Red Devils choose to sell him, “he won’t be coming here… unless they think he is going to be one hell of a player and needs to play, or he enjoys Sunderland and should keep going to play for them.”
ADVERTISEMENT
As for where he could go if United don’t see him as a first-team player, he suggested loaning him out to another Premier League team, or letting him “go back to Italy or Spain” — either way, he sees him not only as a starter at a top-flight club. In fact, he said his talent is almost a concern at times:
Tony Mowbray on Amad: "He's an amazing footballer. He finds the game too easy sometimes, and I need to sort of poke him just to make sure he's giving everything for the team." pic.twitter.com/N1YQG6OY79
As the former defender goes went on to explain, “because the game is so easy for [Amad], individually, he loses concentration occasionally”; nevertheless, he insisted that the club is “delighted” he’s part of their squad and hopes there’s a chance he remains there “banging in goals” next year.
As Tony Mowbray sees it, he’s more than good enough to cut the mustard for Erik ten Hag‘s team, but do you think he’s ready for first-team football at Old Trafford, Reds?
Featured Image — Sunderland AFC/Amad Diallo (via Instagram)
Sport
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.
Addressing the supporters on social media, Forrester wrote: “Thank you to all involved at Bolton Wanderers FC for my time at the club.
“A special club with unbelievable people that work within. Also, a massive thank you to the fans for all of the support throughout.”
His sign-off has been met with plenty of love and well-wishers, as plenty have cited his numerous injury problems – including a ‘freak fall’ which required surgery – as having unfortunately hampered his progress with the Wanderers.
One fan commented, “When fit, he was definitely a first-team starter. But had such bad luck with injuries, he missed more than he played for us.
“Best of luck to Will; it’s probably the right decision for both parties. Such a shame.”
Forrester – originally from Alsager (a town located near Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe) – has become Leyton Orient FC’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Will Forrester has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal and becomes the O’s first January signing of 2026 🙌
While he joins the club on a two-year deal, his transfer fee remains undisclosed.
Having said that, his wages are expected to be towards the higher end of player salaries at Brisbane Road, with the third-tier side still sitting dangerously close to the drop zone in 20th place.
Touching on his arrival via an official club statement, Forrester said: “I’m very happy to have signed here. The mindset and the goals the club want to accomplish in the coming years makes this move very exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Speaking to the gaffer, he has outlined his expectations of me, and I want to help push us forward. I know the challenges of reaching the play-offs the year before and want to help the lads get back on track as quickly as possible.”
You can see his first full interview as a member of The O’s down below.
Danny Jones -
17th April 2023 
