The official Sunderland Instagram account has sent a touching message to Amad after he inspired Manchester United's comeback against Manchester City.

Ruben Amorim's side left it late to inflict further misery on their neighbours with two goals in the dying embers of Sunday's match with City. Josko Gvardiol's first-half header looked like it would be the difference between the two sides, but Amad dragged United back into the contest before sealing the comeback in stoppage time.

The Ivorian swept in to capitalise on Matheus Nunes' back-pass before the midfielder, who was standing in at full-back for the champions, hacked the attacker to the ground. Amad then ghosted in behind before finding the net from a narrow angle to ensure Amorim picked up his second win over Pep Guardiola - after his Sporting CP side ran out victors in the Champions League prior to him succeeding Erik ten Hag.

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In a post on Instagram, the Black Cats wrote: "What a player," accompanied by a quote from the 22-year-old during his spell in the North East. Amad said previously: "The supporters gave me a lot of love and I enjoyed every moment of playing for Sunderland."

The well wishes were reciprocated from the Sunderland fans with one adding: "Great to see him finally getting his chance at Utd after balling at Sunderland. Amorim knows he's got a serious player on his hands here."

The forward enjoyed a fruitful spell in the Championship during his time in the North East. He scored 14 goals in 42 appearances for the club as he helped them into the play-offs under Tony Mowbray on goal difference, with Amad on target in a 3-0 win over Preston North End on the final day.

Despite his Sunderland heroics, Amad struggled to cement a starting berth during his time under Ten Hag and during his time in the cold, there were attempts to bring him back to the Stadium of Light. Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said, back in January: "The situation is clear. We have a positive relationship with the boy, his people and Manchester United.

"Can he improve us? Yes. Have we enquired? Yes.

"Have we kept in contact with him? Yes. My head would be on a stake if not!

"Even if he became available, we might not get him. I regard him as a tier one player. He is a tier one player. We would be lucky if we got him on loan again. The level he can play at.

"But he loved his time here. He loved the players and staff."