'Agreement sealed' - Fabrizio Romano reveals big Man Utd move with contract 'signed this week'

Manchester United have made their first major move of the January transfer window by securing the long-term future of highly-rated Ivory Coast winger Amad.

The 21-year-old winger has been the Red Devils standout performer this season with six goals and seven assists from 28 games across all competitions, with the most recent goal coming in a dramatic 2-2 draw with runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

Blessed with quick feet, tremendous technical ability and pace to leave defenders in the dust, Amad has been the bright spark in an underwhelming season for the Red Devils and is the main reason Ruben Amorim’s side are not lower than 13th in the table at the half way mark. The former Sunderland loanee’s contract at Old Trafford was scheduled to expire in June 2025 but talks over an exit in the summer has now been put to bed. His current deal did contain the option of an extra year but he’s now put pen to paper on a longer contract.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed the update in a post on X, which reads: “Understand Amad signs his new contract at Manchester United THIS week, agreement sealed!All documents have been checked and approved on both club/player sides. Higher salary, long term deal and Amad stays as key part of the project.”

What Ruben Amorim has said about Amad

Upon arriving at Old Trafford from the Portuguese capital, Ruben Amorim described Amad as a player with special qualities and challenged him top performances on an even more consistent basis. Amorim said in December that he was relaxed over the player’s situation and was always confident that the hierarchy would get the deal over the line.

He told the club website after the 4-0 victory over Everton: “I think he wants to stay and we want him to stay, So that is clear and we will find a solution. He's very good for me. He’s very good playing in that position, but also playing between the lines, because he has a good control and he seems faster with the ball than without the ball, so it's something that he has and he’s capable of playing in both positions and he can play in different systems. So, in the future, we will play in a different system, maybe. So he is that kind of player that we need in the team.”

The forward has been praised for his attacking qualities and his ability to cause problems for opposition defences but has also been lauded for his work-rate, which could see him become a really important asset in the wing-back role, according to Amorim. He added: "He has that ability and then, in that position, you need to have a good physicality. When you say good physicality, it's not the size obviously, but he can run and that is a key point in that position. So you try to choose players that you can put in that position and then the technical characteristics and that is perfect for him.”

‘Sensational’ - Gary Neville heaps praise on Amad

Former United captain Gary Neville described Amad as a ‘sensational’ talent after his match-winning goal against Manchester City in December and labelled him as the only Red Devils player that l’ooked like a Manchester United footballer’ at that moment in time.

A stunned Neville said after the 2-1 victory over Manchester City: “It is bedlam in that far corner and on the Manchester United bench, Amad, what have you just done? An absolute shining light. What must Pep Guardiola be thinking? Amad has been sensational – the only Manchester United player to look like a Manchester United player.

“The pass from Martinez is good, and the run between Nunes and Gvardiol is. The touch is perfect, and the finish – Gvardiol maybe could have cleared it but take nothing away from this boy. The first touch is beautiful. He gets enough on it, and he has turned the game on its head.”

Amad inspired Manchester United to a first victory at the Etihad since 2021 and also played a major part at Anfield over the weekend in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool. The youngster is quickly developing a habit of scoring on big occasions and will be key to Manchester United’s fortunes in the coming weeks if they are to begin to climb the table in upcoming tests against Southampton, Brighton, Fulham and Crystal Palace.