Michael Carrick's return to Manchester United is set to be confirmed, with the coach set to reunite with several members of the current squad, including Amad. The pair previously worked together during Carrick's second spell as caretaker manager in late 2021.
Amad, 23, joined United from Atalanta in 2021 while Carrick was serving on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff. Carrick departed in December 2021 after Ralf Rangnick took over, but the pair have since crossed paths again. During Amad's loan at Sunderland, the winger scored in a 2-0 Championship victory over Carrick's Middlesbrough in January 2023.
Speaking after that match, Carrick praised the Ivorian: "He does what he does. He's really talented, Amad. Good in tight spaces and does what he does with the ball. For the goal, that's what he brings and I think that's what he's maybe brought a bit more is his end product from when I knew him when he was a little bit younger a couple of years ago. He's doing really well."
Carrick added that he knew Amad "very well" from their time at United and described him as a "terrific footballer", noting he had "jumped up a level again". Amad has also expressed admiration for Carrick, saying he was happy to wear the No.16 shirt because Carrick had previously worn it for a long time, calling it "a number worn by a legend of the club".
Amad is expected to be available for Saturday's Manchester derby after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, where Ivory Coast were eliminated by Egypt. He had been used as a right wing-back by Ruben Amorim before the tournament, and Carrick's tactical approach for his first match in charge will be closely watched.
