Sunderland haven’t travelled to Old Trafford in Premier League action since Boxing Day in 2016, but that is soon to change this Saturday as Regis Le Bris’ plucky Black Cats make the trip down to Manchester United, eager to maintain their electric start to life back in the top-flight this season.

History does dictate that the Wearside outfit will struggle to pick up a result, having last won at the Theatre of Dreams in 2014 courtesy of a Sebastian Larsson winner.

Staggeringly, that is the only three points they have picked up in Manchester – with Manchester City also added to the equation – from their last 29 away clashes in the capital of the North.

Still, poor stretches of form like this are meant to be broken, and with Sunderland already picking up three league wins this season after promotion, Le Bris’ men will not be written off at all on Saturday.

Another interesting narrative to throw into the mix is the potential return of Amad Diallo for Ruben Amorim’s hot-and-cold hosts, with the Ivorian a beloved former loanee at the Stadium of Light, who very much used his formative Black Cats experience as a springboard to greater success.

Amad's Sunderland reunion

Before delving deeper into Amad’s injury situation ahead of the showdown on the weekend, it only feels right – from a Sunderland perspective – to reminisce about his terrific displays on Wearside.

Indeed, in total, the 23-year-old attacker bagged a stunning 14 strikes donning Sunderland red and white, with journalist James Copley glowingly labelling the slick forward as a “wizard” for his constantly entertaining displays.

Therefore, Sunderland will know all too well the damage he could cause if he is selected to start this weekend, with the FA Cup-winning winger already one assist down this season.

Reports do suggest that Amad could be back fit to reunite with his former loan employers, having re-entered training recently for Amorim and Co.

Amad’s split-second ability to conjure up a moment of immense quality could be a potential difference-maker that hands Amorim’s side a much-needed win, but Le Bris will be confident he has his very own version of the dynamic Ivorian in one promising youngster.

Sunderland's new version of Amad

Sunderland have a whole host of exciting attackers on their books, with Wilson Isidor already up to three goals for the Black Cats in the Premier League, on top of Enzo Le Fee also possessing that same Amad-like quality to impress in a flash with an audacious skill here and there.

Yet, it’s not the ex-Lorient man being lauded as Le Bris’ very own Amad. Rather, it’s 20-year-old attacker Chemsdine Talbi, who will hope he can grow into what the 23-year-old has turned into at the Red Devils by transforming into a recognised Premier League-calibre forward.

Already, much like Amad showed in spades at the Stadium of Light, it’s clear that the Moroccan is a raw talent destined for the top, having arrived in England this summer from former side Club Brugge with seven goals and five assists under his belt for the Belgian Pro League outfit, with three of those goal contributions even coming in the Champions League.

Scout Antonio Mango went as far as to label Talbi as “electric” off the back of his blistering performances in Belgium, with his direct and quick approach often seeing him leave defenders for dead, which is very much similar to Amad’s gung-ho approach in the Championship for Sunderland.

The worry will be that Talbi has just one assist to show for his promising displays so far at the Stadium of Light, but – unlike Amad’s one-season story – Sunderland have time on their side to get the very best out of their rapid number seven, with Le Bris already stating that the 20-year-old needs “time” and “support” to live up to his hype.

However, there is no time like the present to leave your mark, with a first goal for the club at Old Trafford a fitting place to get off the mark, particularly if Amad gets the nod to start.

1. Rigg

18

45

4 + 1

2. Bellingham

20

43

4 + 3

3. Watson

19

22

3 + 0

If Sunderland’s track record with youngsters is anything to go by – when looking at the table above – they could have a real gem on their hands, as a permanent Amad-style presence is potentially unearthed.