Manchester United want to upgrade their attacking options this summer. Extra frontline quality was always going to be needed but Cristiano Ronaldo's uncertain future has now made this a priority for Erik ten Hag in the transfer market.
Though Jadon Sancho was signed for £73m to be United's long-term solution on the right wing, over the course of the 2021/22 season it became apparent that he was better played off the left. This means the club are once again on the hunt for a right-sided attacker.
The Manchester Evening News understands that Ten Hag's main target is Ajax's Antony, but the Dutch club aren't keen on letting him leave and so may have priced him out of a move. So what alternatives do United have?
ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag sets challenge to Manchester United youngsters on pre-season tour
If they're looking for a right-sided attacker with great ball control and who is left-footed so can cut in and shoot, they might already have their answer at the club. Amad has returned from loan this summer after spending the second half of the season at Rangers and he has a serious chance to impress on the pre-season tour.
Amad's spell at Rangers was unfortunate. He joined while the Scottish club were in a title tussle with Celtic, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst's decision to opt for more tried-and-tested options meant the youngster struggled to make an impression.
Amad officially moved to United in January 2021 for a fee that could rise up to over £37million, showing the faith the club had in his ability to reach his maximum potential. He definitely has the technical ability needed to make it to the very top and the arrival of Antony would only hinder his development.
This has been a problem for United for many years. All too often they have signed talented players but then failed to properly develop them, with constant managerial changes doing little to aid the development of new arrivals. Anthony Martial's Old Trafford career is a prime example of this; he was playing well but then Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku were brought in and I don't need to tell you what happened next.
United may bring in an upgrade next season, but this summer the club needs to invest in the midfield and defensive areas so that the team can consistently turn defence into possession and possession into an attack. Maybe Amad will get his chance to shine under a manager who has a track record of developing young talents.
READ NEXT:
