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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tyrone Marshall

Amad and Alejandro Garnacho could change Manchester United transfer plans

It was a good weekend for young Manchester United wingers looking to make a name for themselves. Barely an hour after Alejandro Garnacho had used his right foot to score at Old Trafford, Amad used his left to do the same at the Stadium of Light.

Garnacho, 18, now has five goals for United while 20-year-old Amad has 14 in 41 games for Sunderland this season, to go with the one he's already scored for his parent club. He might be operating in the Championship but he's starting to produce quite the highlights reel.

We can safely say Garnacho will be a fixture in Erik ten Hag's squad next season. He might even force his way into his starting line-up in the remainder of this campaign. Amad will get his chance as well. He will be on the plane for the US tour and a strong showing in the States will secure his role for next season.

ALSO READ: Garnacho has an advantage Januzaj didn't have at United

United committed a potential £37million on signing Amad for Atalanta, while Garnacho was a steal at £420,000. On recent evidence, both look to have a future at Old Trafford.

On Saturday Ten Hag discussed the areas that Garnacho needs to improve but the message that he is a "huge talent" was clear. United have a prodigy on their hands and the five-year deal he signed last month might be one of the best bits of business they do this season.

Ten Hag will have seen less of Amad, but he can't but be impressed by what he's seeing and hearing. The winger has thrived in the Championship and it might be the appointment of Tony Mowbray to replace Alex Neil comes to be looked on as a turning point for the Ivorian. There's a reason the Premier League's biggest clubs trust Mowbray with the development of their players.

Amad's quality has been vital to Sunderland's unexpected play-off push. They head to Kenilworth Road on Tuesday for the second leg of their semi-final with Luton with a 2-1 lead and a shot at promotion at Wembley in their sights.

The young duo offer balance to Ten Hag's forward options as well. Garnacho is a right-footed left-winger and Amad is a left-footed right-winger. They should both be available to supplement the attack next season.

Ten Hag isn't likely to be short of options in those positions, either. Presuming United sign the striker they so desperately need this summer, then it will mean a more regular role on the left for Marcus Rashford, who has 29 goals this season. Antony's impact hasn't been at that level, but Ten Hag has faith in the 23-year-old and after spending £85million on him, he has to keep playing him.

Then there is Jadon Sancho. He has flickered only briefly since his £73million switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 and more is required. He has completed 90 minutes just twice in his last 25 appearances and still looks short of confidence. If he wants to play on the left he could begin next season behind Garnacho and Rashford.

The 23-year-old can play on both flanks as well as in the No. 10 role, so his versatility will keep him involved, but he is unlikely to be a starter next season and has to start delivering more.

If Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Amad and Sancho are United's five wingers next season then they will all be under 25. There is no succession plan needed here.

That should embolden Ten Hag to sell. Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga are both 21 and have barely had a look in this season. If Amad and a striker arrive in the summer, then cashing in on both has to be the priority.

With those five wingers mentioned above there should be no need to sign another forward, once a striker is in the building, for a long time. Instead, the focus might be on sales. Amad will need to translate being a star in the Championship to a consistent level in the Premier League and Sancho needs to start looking like the player United thought they had signed.

But for now, the attacking options on the wings are plentiful and the only discussions should be about who to sell, rather than who to buy.

Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup Final print supplement by clicking here.

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