Next up on Manchester United’s agenda is Nottingham Forest, and it’s worth taking a look at the clubs’ last meeting, which ended in a 2-2 draw for the visiting team at the City Ground.
Despite being trailed early in the second half, then-manager Rouben Amorim was spared the embarrassment of Amad’s brilliance later in the day, with the Ivorian firing in a superb volley from outside the box.
Operating as a wing-back in Amorim’s much-criticized 3-4-2-1 set-up, Amad appeared to be the main beneficiary of that approach, not least assisting Brian Mbeumo away at Anfield and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, both sides of Nottingham’s magic.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old has only scored once since then, but has yet to contribute a single goal or assist at club level so far in 2026, enduring a serious dip in form since returning from AFCON in January.
Amad’s Manchester United record | ||
|---|---|---|
manager | game | Goal (assist) |
Amorim | 43 | 10(11) |
Tembabaa | twenty four | 3(2) |
carrick | 15 | 0 (0) |
O.G.S. | 8 | 1(1) |
RvN | 4 | 2(1) |
Rangnick | 1 | 0 (0) |
Fletcher | Not applicable | Not applicable |
total | 95 | 16(15) |
Amid interest from former club Sunderland, talk of a subsequent summer departure seems premature, but the diminutive talent could be looking over his shoulder if a significant contract is secured by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
Manchester United lead race to sign Premier League star for £50m
Transfer business talk could further accelerate amid news that Michael Carrick has been offered a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months and is close to taking over on a permanent basis.
It remains to be seen whether a formal announcement will be made before or during Sunday’s meeting, but in any case, the confirmation of Carrick as Amorim’s replacement should help United’s transfer negotiations, with those reported knowing who they could potentially play for next season.
The priority for both INEOS and the Englishman is to find talent in midfield, but SportsBoom claims the Red Devils could also be looking to strengthen their attack line, with interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Mane.
Former Wolves manager Vitor Pereira is keen to reunite with the 18-year-old this summer, with United and Liverpool also reportedly interested.
In fact, the two rivals are said to be in fact the “frontrunners” to sign the teenager following Old Gold’s defeat in the Championship, with Rob Edwards intending to cash in on the money to be used elsewhere.
A fee of £50 million was previously mooted as to what the actual asking price would be.
Comparison of Mane and Amad in this season’s Premier League
As mentioned above, Amad’s emotional return to the Stadium of Light last weekend comes after a highly productive loan spell with the Black Cats for the 2022/23 season, amid rumors of a potential permanent return to Wearside.
Considering he only signed a new contract until 2030 last year, there should be no rush to dump the former Atalanta speedster, especially after scoring 21 goals and assisting him last season.
However, the arrival of a player of Mann’s caliber could well threaten Amad’s place as a regular in the team, and Mann’s performance at United so far makes the outlook for the 2025/26 season grim.
Across the Premier League, he has only scored and assisted just four times, while creating only five ‘big chances’ and missing six ‘big chances’, enduring a significant decline in terms of final product.
Perhaps it just has to do with confidence, tired legs after AFCON, or changes in the dugout, but it doesn’t bode well that even teenage Mane has been mostly improved upon his return to a relegated Wolves side.
Mane has started just 17 league games and has scored and assisted three times, while Amad has started 25 games in the top flight, scoring four times.
The much-needed talent, who has been a shining light in a difficult season at Molineux, was particularly impressive when United faced Wolves in December, proving his true vitality in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
In total, he attempted 6 dribbles, won 8 ground duels, completed 100% of the attempted crosses, but also won with 5 fouls, as the hosts did not know how to restrain him.
In Amad’s case, he only moved to Manchester at the age of 18, but although he made his breakthrough under Amorim the following year, it took until 2023/24 for him to truly emerge as a member of the first team.
The fact that Mane is already making waves at Premier League level is proof that he is capable of greater talent, and it’s no surprise that a club looking to overcome Wolves’ misfortunes would take an interest in his achievements.
The international contender, who Edwards says has a “very high ceiling” and could become the first signing of a dream permanent Carrick regime, is a player who has a “very high ceiling” before opting for Portugal over England.
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