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.”
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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.”
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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
Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
Sport
Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Danny Jones -
17th April 2023 
