Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's attitude to talent, regardless of age, has already shown Amad that he can compete for a place in his starting XI next season.
After a slow start to his time at Sunderland, Amad appears to have well and truly turned a corner. The 20-year-old scored his fifth goal in seven league appearances during the Black Cats' 2-1 defeat to West Brom in the Championship on Monday night.
The United loanee both won and scored a penalty to give his side the lead in the 19th minute. Despite the Baggies scoring twice late on to claim all three points, Amad was a constant threat all evening and was unlucky not to add more to his tally after it appeared that he was brought down in the box once again in the second-half - yet the referee waved away the home side's appeals.
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The Ivorian will be hoping that Ten Hag is taking note of his form in front of goal, as Amad shows exactly what he has to offer the Dutchman upon his return to Old Trafford in the summer. The youngster should also be buoyed by the former Ajax manager's approach to giving youth a chance, as he set out during his time in charge of the Eredivisie side.
Speaking during his time in the Netherlands, the 52-year-old was asked for his philosophy on guaranteed starters. Ten Hag said: "But no one is, in my book [a guaranteed starter]. And I told them this. There is a hierarchy, yes, but whether you’re 19 or 29, you play when you’re the best for the position."
United's need for more goals is abundantly clear, hence their pursuit of a striker in January. Yet Amad should take confidence from his manager's words, knowing that if he can maintain his goalscoring form, he has every chance of a starting role under Ten Hag upon his return - regardless of who the club may sign.
There is of course a long way to go between now and next season, yet Amad is doing everything he can to show why he deserves a chance at United. Should he keep up his current attacking output, the only remaining question will be whether or not Ten Hag is a man of his word.
Everything the Dutchman has done at Old Trafford so far has shown that he certainly is.
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