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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tyrone Marshall

Erik ten Hag might already know his first Manchester United signing

One of Manchester United's greatest strengths at the start of this season looked to be the depth in their attack, so it's fitting that a campaign that has gone so badly wrong is ending with the current manager calling for the club to sign two new forwards this summer.

"For me, it is a question of what players Manchester United have in the future. For me, it is obvious Manchester United needs two more quality strikers," Ralf Rangnick said after his final home game in charge of the club.

"Modern strikers do not necessarily have to be strikers. Liverpool or Manchester City have five or six top-class strikers. If you ask me if Gabriel Jesus or Grealish is a winger or a striker, they can all play there. Mason Greenwood would have been one then after the West Ham game he was no longer part of the squad."

READ MORE: United should consider Christian Eriksen transfer

That was the second press conference in succession that Rangnick had mentioned the absence of Greenwood and given the circumstances around his suspension it's clear that Erik ten Hag will have to plan for life without him as well.

United will also lose Edinson Cavani this summer, Anthony Martial could make his exit permanent and Marcus Rashford's form has fallen so dramatically a parting of the ways is beginning to look like it's in the best interests of the player and the club.

What had looked like a strong attack in September has been propped up by 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who has taken his tally this season to 24 goals. Ronaldo and £73million winger Jadon Sancho had added firepower to United last summer, but Sancho has flickered only briefly and he hasn't solved the right-wing issue.

Instead, he has looked more threatening on the left and cutting inside onto his stronger foot, but that is also a role preferred by Rashford and Anthony Elanga, who is the player that has benefitted most from Rangnick's spell in charge.

The 63-year-old German won't look back at his spell in the dugout with much fondness but his consultancy role will now focus on recruitment and he's right about United needing a more modern, dynamic attack.

Signing a forward who can play centrally to share the burden with Ronaldo is clearly a priority. But the right-wing remains an issue and to truly balance this attack, a left-footed right-winger is required.

Almost every elite side now operates with inverted wingers but with Greenwood out of the picture United don't have enough left-footed forward in the first-team squad if we discount Amad, who has had a disastrous loan spell with Rangers.

Fortunately for Ten Hag, he might already have the ideal player in his sights. His Ajax side this season has actually operated with two left-footed wingers. Dusan Tadic has played on his natural flank and served up a diet of crosses for 6ft 3ins centre forward Sebastian Haller, but on the right the Brazilian Antony has been a box of tricks, drifting onto his stronger foot.

The 22-year-old has registered 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 games from the right, although injury now looks like forcing him to miss the end of the season.

His absence was keenly felt as Ajax lost the KNVB Cup final to PSV Eindhoven, something Ten Hag has appreciated.

"Without Antony it is all a bit less fast and dynamic on the right, which also makes it more difficult for the team. Then the spaces become a lot smaller," he said.

United could certainly do with some dynamism on the right. In fact, they could just do with a player who wants to play in that position.

Ten Hag knows all about what Antony can offer and we can be sure the 52-year-old will have evaluated the United squad from a distance, as well as taking on board the views of Rangnick and football director John Murtough.

There is plenty for United to try and achieve in the transfer window this summer, but raiding Ajax for Antony could be a swift solution to one problem.

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