Opinion: Sunderland should turn to Man United starlet as replacement for the injured Elliot Embleton | OneFootball

Sunderland claimed a point at the weekend, as they drew 1-1 against Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.

The game saw the return of star man Ross Stewart, with the Scottish international getting back on the scoresheet.

However, Stewart’s return and the result were overshadowed as Black Cats midfielder Elliot Embleton was stretchered off in the 1-1 draw at Hull after an incident that actually saw him receive a red card.

Boss Tony Mowbray made it clear after the game that the issue was a serious one, although the club needed to wait for further tests to understand just how bad the issue was.

It has now been revealed by the club on their official website that the injury Embleton picked up will see him have a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The statement read: “Sunderland AFC can confirm that Elliot Embleton will undergo surgery this week on an ankle injury picked up during Saturday’s draw at Hull City. The midfielder has suffered an ankle fracture and significant ligament damage, and will face an extended spell on the sidelines.”

This will be a big blow for Mowbray and his Sunderland side, as they currently look to keep up in the promotion race despite finding themselves in a surprising position.

It is unclear if this news now means Sunderland will enter the market in January for a new midfielder, but if they do, there is one player they should be looking to sign.

That player is Manchester United’s Zidane Iqbal, a young midfielder who has a big reputation at the Premier League giants.

It was reported exclusively by Football League World at the beginning of November that Michael Carrick was looking to bring the midfielder to Middlesbrough this January.

So, there may be competition for Iqbal, but he is someone Mowbray should be willing to push the club for. Iqbal would be someone that would improve Sunderland’s midfield; he would bring control, composure, and that talent that United’s youngsters seem to possess.

Quiz: Have any of these 25 ex-Sunderland players ever played for a Yorkshire based team?

1 of 25

Lee Burge?

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The 19-year-old has only made one appearance in the United first team, but he has featured heavily in the youth set-up and the EFL Trophy, and there is a possibility he is in the matchday squad for the EFL Cup tie against Burnley tomorrow evening.

Despite still being young and raw, Iqbal has a bright future ahead of him and is highly regarded at United. So, the next step in the youngster’s development may be a loan spell somewhere, and the January window may be the ideal opportunity for United to allow him to temporarily depart the club.

Sunderland already have one United player at the club in winger Amad Diallo, and the Black Cats could possibly use that relationship to their advantage and look to replace the injured Embleton with Iqbal in this January transfer window.