Amad's return to Old Trafford will now be later than expected after the young star sent the best possible message to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
But rather than state any desire to force his way into the Dutchman's plans, the winger let his feet do the talking on what proved an incredible final day in the Championship. The 20-year-old's loan spell at Sunderland had already been considered a success, but at Preston North End on Monday he produced a moment which may yet go down in folklore amongst the club faithful.
With the Black Cats needing to win to have any chance of securing a top six finish that previously looked unlikely, Amad turned the game in the 54th minute when he unleashed a stunning 25-yard into the top corner. Further goals from Alex Pritchard and Jack Clarke sealed the three points, but Tony Mowbray's men were still reliant on favours from elsewhere.
And a favour they got, as Blackburn Rovers fought back from 3-1 down at Millwall to win 4-3. It meant Sunderland finished a point ahead of the London side, and level with Rovers but with a superior goal difference, with Amad's form critical to their late charge.
The immediate future of the Ivory Coast international is yet to be finalised, with Ten Hag keen to have him on board in pre-season before making a decision. But after his super strike, Amad looked like a man making a statement - to both his parent club and current one.
After running to the away fans, he pointed towards them whilst clasping the club badge on his shirt. At the time, it appeared like Amad bidding a fond farewell, but the drama elsewhere could now mean his final act for the North East club could yet come at Wembley amid promotion to the Premier League.
He will now play at least two more games for Sunderland, home and away legs against Luton Town in the play-offs, before a potential final with Middlesbrough or Coventry City. It will be the perfect platform to again showcase his ability to Ten Hag, who is set to overhaul his squad this summer.
Mowbray has previously admitted he's be keen to extend Amad's loan for another season, but conceded the situation was out of his hands: “Man United are happy, but I think the next step is for them to take him on pre-season to America.," he said. "That’s what I think is going to happen. Then they’ll see how he gets on."
Amad arrived at United in January 2021 from Atalanta, for an initial fee of £22 million. He spent last season on loan at Rangers, but his stint in Sunderland has proved more successful, scoring 12 times in 36 league appearances.
