Man Utd make loan decision over wonderkid after talks as unusual contract clause revealed

Manchester United wonderkid Amad Diallo will be staying at Sunderland until the end of the season following the expiry of a clause in his loan contract, according to reports.

The Ivorian was sent out on loan by Erik ten Hag at the beginning of the campaign to experience more senior football, and it initially took the 18-year-old time to adapt to life at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray chose to slowly introduce Amad into the first team, and said in October that the winger, who can also play in attacking midfield, needed to 'just bring it all together'.

He added (quotes via Chronicle Live): "Sometimes I'm bashing him on the back saying, 'Come on son, shot, shot, shot, stop trying to nutmeg everyone'!"

Mowbray's approach has certainly paid off, as Amad has started every Sunderland game since playing in their 4-2 defeat to Championship leaders Burnley on October 26.

In that time, he has scored seven goals and provided one assist, and was named as the Championship's Player of the Month for December.

And in great news for Sunderland fans, Amad is set to stay at the club for the rest of the campaign.

Man Utd starlet Amad set to stay at Sunderland

Speaking at the beginning of January, Ten Hag hinted that he had thought about bringing Amad back to Old Trafford before the end of his loan spell, but was not keen on stopping his stint at the Stadium of Light early. He described the winger's progress as 'really good'.

Now, the Sunderland Echo have reported their understanding that United will not be recalling the Ivory Coast youngster this month.

They claim that, as with many loan deals, Ten Hag's side had the option to bring back Amad in the January window. However, it is added that this decision had to be taken by a certain date - and that date has now passed.

As a result, Amad is set to play a role in Sunderland's second half of the campaign. Mowbray's side are just one point off the Championship play-off places following their 2-0 win over Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough on Sunday, who occupy the final spot in the top six.

The club will hope their seven-goal loanee can add to his tally in the remaining 20 games, and aid a successful play-off push.