Amad issues blunt three-word response to Man Utd exit reports amid Leicester and Sunderland links

Man Utd winger Amad has poured cold water on talk linking him with a move away from Old Trafford amid reports of Championship loan interest.

Amad was handed his first appearance of the campaign in United's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest on December 30, replacing Antony off the bench. The 21-year-old had been absent for over five months after picking up a serious knee injury during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal.

The opening of the January transfer window has led to inevitable speculation regarding Amad's future and some reports have suggested he could return to the Championship, where he excelled for Sunderland last season.

And former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer gave his take on Amad recently, suggesting that the Ivorian could work under his former manager at the Stadium of Light, Tony Mowbray, who was appointed as Birmingham City boss on Monday.

"He really enjoyed his time at Sunderland but he was working under Tony Mowbray, and he made it clear that he would go back to work for Tony Mowbray," Palmer recently told Football League World. "This could put a spanner in the works because although Sunderland are keen to sign him, if Tony Mowbray gets the Birmingham job then I’m sure Amad will be keen to join him there."

Palmer's quotes were shared by a United fan account on X, formerly Twitter, and Amad was quick to give his own verdict. The winger simply remarked: "Stop lying mate.!"

The account responsible for publishing Palmer's comments did respond to Amad, explaining that the post had been 'misunderstood' and that the former player was just giving his personal view.

There have been no suggestions that Amad will leave United this month, either permanently or on loan. The former Atalanta man is thought to have attracted interest from several second-tier sides but his involvement in the Forest game suggests he could have a part to play under Erik ten Hag between now and May.

Elimination from the Champions League and Carabao Cup has eased United's fixture schedule considerably for the second-half of the campaign and Ten Hag could sanction the exit of some fringe players. Jadon Sancho looks set to be one exit and talks are continuing with Borussia Dortmund over a loan deal.