The first pre-season friendly of the summer is usually little more than a glorified kick-about, a chance to shake the excesses of the summer out of the legs and ease your way back into something resembling competitive football.
None of the Manchester United squad that have travelled to Oslo for the pre-season game with Leeds today will expect to play more than 45 minutes as they continue to build up fitness ahead of the first weekend of the Premier League campaign, which is still more than a month away.
But the easy routine of these mid-July games is generally most applicable to those senior players whose status for next season is confirmed. For the younger members of United's travelling party opportunity knocks and for Amad, this is the starting gun on what is almost a trial period to earn a first-team spot for next season.
It's too early for judgements just yet, but you can be sure Erik ten Hag and his coaches are already running the rule over the forward at Carrington. Contributions in training will be just as valuable as performances in friendlies this summer for Amad, who turned 21 yesterday.
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His situation is similar to that of James Garner, who returned from a hugely successful Championship loan a year ago with the intention of forcing his way into Ten Hag's plans. Instead, he was sold to Everton as he failed to leave a mark on the first-team squad, although injury didn't help him.
Amad returns to Old Trafford with a higher potential ceiling than Garner. United spent €20million on the winger three years ago and there's another €21million in add-ons that could eventually be due to Atalanta. He was one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Europe at that stage.
His trajectory hasn't run smoothly since then, but this summer he returns to his parent club full of confidence after an excellent loan spell at Sunderland, and he looks ready to make an impact. Thirteen goals in the Championship, many of them stunning, were a reminder of his talent.
There is also a potential spot for him in Ten Hag's squad, with no obvious backup or competition for Antony. Amad is naturally a left-footed right-winger and could fulfil that role.
His versatility could also be an asset. He started nine games as a centre-forward for Sunderland last season, showing at 5ft 8ins that he could adapt to leading the line in a league as physical in the Championship. With fitness doubts persisting over Anthony Martial, Amad's early introduction into pre-season games could yet involve some cameos through the middle, especially with Marcus Rashford yet to return to training.
It's certainly not Amad's best position, but his experience playing across the forward line could enhance his chances of prospering under Ten Hag. United are in talks with Atalanta over a deal for 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund, but Ten Hag wants to strengthen his attack further even if the Dane does arrive.
He is keen on signing a forward who can play across the front, giving him options on the left, right and through the middle. Amad might well have designs of putting his hand up for just such a role this summer.
First, he needs to show he has the required technical and tactical ability to succeed at United, as well as the personality to thrive at Old Trafford. The example of Garner a year ago shows Ten Hag is ruthless in trimming the squad and selling youngsters who aren't quite good enough is becoming a more common occurrence.
Few of the young players at the club have the potential of Amad, however. He will be determined to prove that in pre-season, starting against Leeds today, in whatever position he plays.
