Why Manchester United could lose Amad for even more of the season

As Amad hobbled onto the back of a buggy with the aid of crutches at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Manchester United fans prepared for some bad news.

So did the attacker himself. He later said he had “feared for the worst” but was relieved to find his injury suffered against Arsenal on the summer pre-season tour was “nothing serious”.

His exit from the American Football coliseum was captured by the Manchester Evening News’ chief Manchester United reporter Samuel Luckhurst. The social media clip has more than seven million views, which gives you an insight into Amad’s popularity.

It’s not just United supporters who are taking an interest in the Ivorian’s progress. He won a lot of fans during last season’s loan spell at Sunderland, where he scored 14 goals in 42 matches as the Black Cats reached the Championship play-off semi-finals against the odds.

READ MORE: Amad shares encouraging three-word injury update

I dare say a few Rangers fans are looking on too, wondering why the striker didn’t perform as well in Scotland as he did a few miles south. Amad was in such great form that Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray implored United not to recall his striker in January amid United’s attacking worries.

Erik ten Hag says he sees a future at United for Amad. He might need him when he returns from his knee injury. The 21-year-old played on the right wing in the friendlies against Leeds and Lyon prior to his setback, a position that looks to be increasingly more insecure.

Amad posted a social media update on Thursday with the words ‘step by step’ alongside a picture of his recovering knee. A return may not be so far away.

But alas, he could yet be unavailable for United for more games in the new year. In fact, United could be left without four players as the delayed Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on January 13.

Andre Onana (of Cameroon), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia), Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) and Amad (Ivory Coast), if selected for their nations, will certainly miss a handful of matches.

Of course, not all can feature in the final, but any player who makes it there will miss four Premier League games – without including potential FA Cup and League Cup ties.

Amad will be desperate to play for Cote D’Ivoire given it is a home tournament, one that was moved from last summer to avoid the traditional rainy season in the country. The Premier League will take a mini-break between January 13 and January 30, but AFCON lasts until February 13.

Ten Hag could find his squad depth thinned during that period and will be crossing his fingers to have better injury luck after a busy festive period than he has had at the start of this season.

Perhaps a quick dip into the winter market will be needed, but it’s too early to do anything but speculate about that just yet. Amad’s potential absence may sting a little regardless.