After taking a little while to settle on Wearside, the Ivorian has now scored or assisted seven times in his last 11 appearances for the Championship club and has become a real fans’ favourite, helping Sunderland into the play-off positions.
There had been suggestions Amad could be recalled to Old Trafford in January, with Ten Hag currently light on attacking options following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho’s lack of fitness.
But the Dutch coach says he is wary of curtailing such a productive loan, particularly with the 20-year-old unlikely to receive much game time back at United, and has played down the likelihood of recalling Amad.
‘We consider everything as long as it’s strengthening the squad,’ responded Ten Hag when asked if the club might utilise the recall clause in Amad’s loan stay with Sunderland.
‘But at the same time, I have a little bit of a reservation for that because I don’t want to stop the process. He’s [making] really good progress there, so I’m happy with that.
‘But I know also, they need experiences, young players. When we decide [for him] to come back, he has to be a player who can be starting XI, compete for starting XI [at a] minimum, for a lot of games to come in and have an impact.’
Asked why he decided to loan out Amad, the former Ajax boss continued: ‘Because in that moment, I didn’t see him as a starting XI or a player who already had an impact.
‘But I see and I value his potential and his capabilities.
‘I saw that he needs experience in men’s football, senior football. I think in many aspects of football, to get stronger physically, mentally, also skills-wise to improve that, to develop that, so that he can have value for us.’
With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford the only senior forwards capable of leading the line, Ten Hag remains keen to bring in a new striker but he insists United will not panic or make any rash decisions in the transfer market this month.
He added: ‘We have a good team when all the players are available. But with many games coming up, I think there is a need [for a striker]. You need one who can have an impact, otherwise you are just burning money.’
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