Award-winner Amad thanks United influence
Amad has been rewarded for his fine loan spell at Sunderland with the supporters' Young Player of the Year award, and has spoken about how he has kept in touch with those at Manchester United.
The Ivory Coast international has scored 12 times for the Black Cats so far and told us recently he was not giving up hope of helping Tony Mowbray's men achieve promotion. That looked a long shot at the time but the Wearsiders are currently in a play-off spot with two games to go, following a fine win at West Brom, and then subsequent defeats elsewhere for Blackburn Rovers and the Baggies.
After losing out to Bristol City playmaker Alex Scott for the overall EFL Championship Young Player award at the weekend, the 20-year-old's efforts in the red-and-white shirt were recognised by the supporters at an event on Wednesday.
Amad's trophy thanks
Watch Amad picking up his trophy at the Sunderland awards ceremony...
During an interview published in the latest edition of Inside United, our official club magazine, Amad acknowledged the support he has received from his parent club, and also the Reds fans who wish him well on social media.
“I speak with [technical director] Darren Fletcher,” he said. “And he sometimes sends me messages when I play well and score. He likes to congratulate me.
“In terms of the players, I regularly talk with Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes and sometimes Alejandro Garnacho. I watch every United game, when Sunderland are not playing at the same time. I really liked the game with Barcelona. It was a big game and I supported United. It was a really good victory for United.”
“They [the United fans] really support me,” he added. “Some fans send me messages to give me confidence. I hope to repay their confidence next season.”
Sunderland finish the regular campaign with a home game against Watford before a last-day clash at Preston North End, who have another Reds loanee in their ranks in Alvaro Fernandez. Maximum points would assure them of a play-off spot, unless Millwall also win back-to-back-games and gain four goals on Mowbray's side.
Amad has been thankful for the way the north-east club have taken him to their hearts throughout the campaign, as he will look to end the spell on a huge high.
“I feel really good here at Sunderland,” he stated. "Everyone, all my team-mates, are great. The staff and the coaches are lovely. I think I have had my best season here since I started playing on a professional level.”