“Just had the same brain”: Championship star gushes over telepathic link-up with United ace that left defences in ruins

Former Sunderland star Patrick Roberts has shed light on the special on-pitch connection he shared with Manchester United’s Amad during their time together at the Stadium of Light. Amad’s Sunderland spell Having joined United in 2021 from Atalanta, Amad struggled for first-team minutes in England, prompting the club to sanction loan spells. One of these saw him seal a switch to Sunderland, where he truly announced himself to the footballing world. Amad made his Sunderland debut on 5 September 2022 away at Middlesbrough in a 1-0 Championship win. He netted his first goal for the side on 22 October, producing a tidy finish during a 4-2 loss at the hands of Burnley. That goal was the catalyst for the Ivorian’s explosion. He soon turned heads with a string of standout performances, blending superb trickery, quick feet, and goals. His partnership with Roberts was particularly a strong weapon for the Black Cats under Tony Mowbray. Amad made 37 Championship appearances for Sunderland, contributing an impressive 13 goals and three assists. He scooped up the club’s  Young Player of the Year award and the PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Year prize. Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, Roberts described his special understanding with Amad, which had fans dreaming again. Telepathic relationship Asked if he had experienced anything like that before, Roberts answered, “I don’t think so, no. Not in the way Amad has. It’s strange to explain. We weren’t the greatest of friends. Obviously we got on, but on the pitch he just had the same brain. It’s hard to explain, but when I do something, I think of what the other players should be doing.” “I think he was on the same wavelength.” “On the pitch it looked quite easy, but it’s tough because you need to know what the next player is after that. We’d be on that same wavelength and he’d do things that I’d expect myself to do and vice versa. That’s why it worked. At the same time, I’d let him do what he needed to do and maybe help out a bit more defensively.” “We just worked that way. If he drifted out, I’d come inside. If I was out wide, he’d be inside.” Roberts, currently at Birmingham City, added, “We’d just work off each other. There wasn’t much thought. It was off the cuff. When you’re on the same wavelength, football becomes really easy. It’s a simple game, 11 v 11 on a pitch.” “If you make the right decisions, that’s the key to anything. I’ve not really had that anywhere else, but he’s a great player. You see what he’s doing now. He’s gone on to do amazing things and I’m sure there’ll be many more like that.” Amad and United are next in action on Monday when they welcome Leeds United to Old Trafford. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!