Amad issues Atalanta warning

The Bergamo-based club have established themselves as one of Serie A's top sides in recent seasons and currently lead Group F after drawing at Villarreal and beating Young Boys.

They were on the brink of reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2020, before two dramatic late goals by Paris Saint-Germain, and reached the round of 16 last season before succumbing to Real Madrid.

"First of all, we must not underestimate Atalanta," warned Amad, in an interview with club media. "If you underestimate Atalanta, you are making a huge mistake.

“They have got a great coach, a great team and they have got good fans. They press high, they don't let you play and they put you in difficulty.

“The wingers, [Robin] Gosens and [Ruslan] Malinovsky, are strengths of theirs, they will give you a difficult game. Even when they don't have the ball, they will run a lot, especially those two. If you lose the ball, then you're in trouble because they run so much and they'll get it."

Amad still has plenty of friends at the Italian club and is thankful to coach Gian Piero Gasperini for trusting in his talents from a young age.

"Gasperini helped me very, very much indeed," he admitted. "Against Udinese [for my debut] in Serie A, that was a big one. He's a fantastic person. He's been fundamental for my growth and I really thank him a lot for all the years I was with him.

"I am still in touch with some of my team-mates and I can't wait to see them. I think it will be a very, very good day."

Amad has already scored for the Reds in the Europa League, the clever header against AC Milan, and played in the Champions League for Atalanta.

However, he cannot wait to experience Europe's premier competition with United.

"It will be cool, it’s such a big team with such a great history," he enthused. "You know, to represent the team in the Champions League is a dream. We’re talking about Manchester United, we’re not talking about a small team, we’re talking a team that’s won so much.”