Amad Diallo will be a star for Manchester United but this is what needs to happen at Sunderland - Stephen Elliott

He is explosive, can beat a man, is composed on the ball and obviously can score a goal or two.

I do feel, however, he has been slightly off the standard that we have become accustomed to seeing in recent weeks.

Whether this is something trivial or he, like most young lads, is having an inconsistent period I’m not sure but Sunderland need to find a way to get him back playing the way he was a month ago.

On Saturday, he had a frustrating afternoon. To be fair I think the referee could have protected him slightly better, and Coventry never gave him a second to get his game going. They were all over him like a rash every time he got the ball.

His goal was a positive though. It was a lovely strike that was worthy of more than just a mere consolation. It could ignite that spark needed in him which in turn could lift the whole team.

We shall see what materialises but there is no doubt when he is playing well he is one of the first names on the team sheet given how infectious he is both for the team and the supporters.

He will have been just as delighted as the Sunderland supporters to see his parent club lift the League Cup trophy on Sunday.

Hopefully watching that will give him added hunger and motivation to perform well here so he can be involved with games like that himself when he eventually goes back to Manchester.