Erik ten Hag is linked with a number of his former players at the moment, with Frenkie de Jong and Antony both tipped for summer moves to Manchester United. The latter in particular has just spent the year under him at Ajax, and he seems to be progressing towards a high level.
Aged just 21, the Brazilian scored eight goals while registering four assists in the Eredivisie this season. He is regarded as one of the biggest prospects in Holland, and the Reds are rumoured to be interested in him.
On top of his obvious ability and potential, United have another reason to target a player like Antony. Simply put, Ten Hag is lacking left-footed options in the final third.
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Upon inspection of the squad at Old Trafford, there are just three prominent left-footed players at the club right now, and two of them are left backs: Luke Shaw, Alex Telles and Fred. Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic were previously included as two more, but both have left the club this summer in search of new challenges, with the latter agreeing to join Jose Mourinho at AS Roma this week.
The attacking department in particular is lacking. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Elanga and Donny van de Beek are all right-footed. Amad Diallo does break the mould by preferring his left, but the Ivorian youngster is just 19 years old and seems unlikely to become a starter at under Ten Hag in the near future.
The true importance of footedness is open to debate but different options are generally desired, which perhaps offers an insight into why Antony is deemed to be one of the club's primary targets.
Left-footed offensive players are relatively scarce at the highest level. Those at the very pinnacle of the game include Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Phil Foden, Romelu Lukaku, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz to name a few.
If United wish to address the void this summer, Raphinha could be included on the shortlist alongside Antony, although the Leeds United talisman is heavily tipped for a move to Barcelona. Marco Asensio is another who ticks the box - who has curiously been linked to the Reds in recent weeks - and the same applies to West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen.
It remains to be seen who Ten Hag will identify as the right man but regardless, signing an attacking player who favours his left foot could be deemed as a priority of sorts for United ahead of next season.
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