Amad Diallo has played nine times for Man Utd since joining from Atalanta in 2021 (Picture: Getty)
Amad Diallo has played nine times for Man Utd since joining from Atalanta in 2021 (Picture: Getty)

Paul Parker has warned Amad Diallo about returning to parent club Manchester United.

The 20-year-old versatile attacker is on a season-long loan at Championship side Sunderland, who are currently two points off the play-offs as they look to make a return to the Premier League.

Diallo has registered seven goals and an assist across 21 Championship games for the Black Cats this term and was named the EFL Young Player of the Month in December in what has been an impressive spell for the youngster.

Erik ten Hag considered recalling Diallo from his loan at Sunderland but had reservations about disrupting his form.

Former United defender Parker rates Diallo highly but feels the Ivory Coast international should stay at Sunderland and continue his development for as long as possible after struggling at Scottish club Rangers in a previous loan spell.

‘He is a very smart player,’ Parker told SpilXperten about Diallo. ‘I have seen all his goals and assists, and he moves cleverly on the pitch.

‘He had an extremely difficult time at Rangers because it’s a completely different way of playing football in Scotland.

‘It was a really bad idea for him to ever go to Rangers just because his agent wanted him to play for a big club.

‘But I still think the stay has benefited him mentally and that’s maybe why he’s playing so well for Sunderland.

‘Every time he descends into a black hole in the future, he just has to think about how awful it was at Rangers. It was a good lesson.

‘However, it makes no sense for him to come back to Manchester United just yet. There are so many wingers at the club that it’s like being in a doctor’s waiting room.

‘The next one is constantly ready in the queue, so he should stay at Sunderland for an extra year.’

United face Sunderland’s arch rivals Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 with Stuart Pearce backing Eddie Howe’s side to lift the trophy.

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