MICHAEL Carrick helped Amad Diallo develop into the player that is terrifying Championship defences. Now, the Middlesbrough coach has to try and find a way to stop the Sunderland dangerman.

Carrick was on the coaching team at Manchester United when Amad joined from Atalanta for £18m two years ago and worked closely with the youngster to help him settle into English football.

The 20-year-old has only played three times for United and a loan move at Rangers last term didn't go to plan. But he's been a revelation for Sunderland this season, establishing himself as a key man for Tony Mowbray's Black Cats and causing opposition full-backs no end of problems.

Carrick has followed Amad's progress closely and says the winger has "jumped up a level" on Wearside. But he hopes his knowledge of the youngster's game will help his Boro side shackle the wideman at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Carrick said: "I know Amad very well from United. He’s a terrific footballer and seems to have jumped up a level again from the start of the season. His performances have improved and he is a threat.

"He’s a talented player, really smooth on the ball and has a lovely feel for how he takes the ball. He’s sharp, and he sees space very well. Obviously I know him and have watched him very closely. He’s not easy to stop because he’s one of the better players, but that’s the challenge we face. We face different challenges and little scenarios every week, but we’ll do our work to be ready."

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For all Carrick is aware of the Amad threat, he knows only too well that he's not the only dangerman. There's also the sizeable task of keeping Ross Stewart under wraps.

“Sunderland are a very good team and have a very good forward line," said Carrick.

"Not just Amad, right across the frontline Sunderland have really good individuals who can change games at any moment and cause you problems. That’s why they’re up there at the moment and they are a danger. That’s a challenge, of course, but it’s one we’re ready for and we’re looking forward to the game.

“Like every other game, we respect and appreciate the challenges that we face. We’ll definitely do work towards stopping their threat, and I should imagine they will be doing something similar. It’s getting the balance right in terms of how much you change or tweak. The boys will be aware of their players and their threats, like they are every week, and we’ll go into it confident and looking forward to it.”