Amad's reaction to Middlesbrough transfer links as he messages Sunderland fan about rumours

Amad Diallo has poured cold water on the transfer talk linking him with a move to Sunderland's North East rivals Middlesbrough.

Talk emerged earlier this week that Boro boss Michael Carrick was set to use his Manchester United 'connections' to move ahead of Sunderland in the race to sign Amad on loan during the January transfer window.

It had also been claimed that Middlesbrough were in pole position to sign Amad as they were prepared to offer a better financial package to Manchester United compared to Sunderland.

However, the player was quick to quash these rumours and sent a direct message to the Sunderland News & Banter fan page to clarify the rumours with proof of the interaction posted online.

Speaking to the supporters' page, Amad said: "Hi mate it's AMAD. The rumours bind (sic) on a loan to Boro it's fake. If I had to come back on loan to the Championship, it would be Sunderland and not anywhere else." Amad then posted a picture to his Instagram account of him playing for the Wearsiders last season.

Amad, 21, impressed on loan at Sunderland last season, scoring 14 Championship goals, while the Black Cats were one of several clubs keeping an eye on the player's situation over the summer. That was before Amad sustained a lengthy knee injury in pre-season, which caused him to miss the first half of the campaign.

Amad, who joined Manchester United for a package worth around £34million, made his return to ten Hag's squad to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League earlier this month and was named on the bench.