Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has told Manchester United that Amad Diallo is destined for the top.
Diallo joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan back in August, becoming the latest United youngster to drop into the Championship in search of more regular minutes. Hannibal Mejbri joined Birmingham for a second season, while Ethan Laird and Alvaro Fernandez joined QPR and Preston North End respectively.
After a fragmented start to life in the northeast - it took until October for a first start - the 20-year-old has blossomed, starting all of the last 13 games and registering six goals and two assists in the process. The Ivorian has quickly become one of the most feared forwards in the second-tier, and Mowbray believes he is destined for far greater heights.
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"I had a long conversation with coaches at Manchester United this week who were asking about Amad," the Sunderland boss told the Northern Echo. "He undoubtedly has the talent to play at the top level. What happens with young footballers is it's whether they have the internal mechanisms, the personality to play with the demands of that club.
"With total respect to Sunderland, we are in the Championship striving to improve. If he plays for Man United, he has to try and win the Champions League, the Premier League, it is a level above. The talent is there. I managed in the Champions League with Celtic and I know he will never fall short on talent because the ball is stuck to his left foot. He will never give it away in tight areas so he can undoubtedly play there.
"It is whether the personality will mature and grow into believing he can play on that stage. If he can get that and feel comfortable in that environment, then he has the talent to thrive there.
"I can see that belief growing inside him every day. But that is our environment. He expects to play here and understands he is an important player in our team. Five months ago, he was just another young kid presented to the fans, doing 20 minutes here and there. Sometimes he did not even get off the bench.
"Now I would struggle to pick a team without him in it, he is one of the first names on the team sheet. That is how he has grown."
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