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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Manchester United star is running out of time to change Erik ten Hag's mind

Of all the positions Manchester United need to strengthen in the summer transfer window, the wide attacking roles are not among them, but that doesn't mean there won't still be changes in the department.

It would be a massive indictment if United were preparing to once again splash the cash on a new winger given the fact they've spent nearly £200million on them over the last two summers. This year, whatever budget remains available amid uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation must go elsewhere.

A striker is the biggest priority but whether it's Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen or any of the array of promising, young strikers on Erik ten Hag's radar, they're likely to command a massive fee anywhere between £80-100million. As well as that, it's become clear as United's season has started to fizzle out that more additions are needed.

Also read: Exclusive: United interested in Anderlecht goalkeeper

A new midfielder to match the quality of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen and a goalkeeper to truly challenge David de Gea for the No.1 spot are essential while reinforcements at centre-back and right-back would also be most welcomed. It's bound to be yet another expensive, if exciting, summer and the more positions Ten Hag doesn't need to worry about the better.

United are very well stocked on the wings. Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga and Facundo Pellistri are all natural wingers by trade and when you add Marcus Rashford whose best position is on the left, Anthony Martial who has often operated there and even Bruno Fernandes, who has had to play out wide on several occasions this season, United have plenty to choose from.

Ten Hag certainly isn't short of options and that's before you remember that he will be getting a further boost in the summer with the return of Amad. It should be little surprise that a £37million player can light up the Championship, but the Ivorian has been exceptional for Sunderland and played a crucial role in their late march to the play-offs.

Amad has grabbed 13 goals, including some stunning strikes, and four assists this season while also beguiling supporters with his mazy dribbles and lightning speed. He has up to three matches left with the Black Cats as they aim to return to the Premier League but the 20-year-old will be heading to the top flight regardless.

Plans are already in place to have Amad involved with the club's preparation for the FA Cup final, a week after his potential last game for Sunderland, and his measurements have been taken for a suit to wear with the rest of the team at Wembley. After the summer break, Amad will return to Carrington and join the squad on the pre-season tour of the United States.

This is where Amad will have the opportunity to show those at United just how much he's grown as a player after his first season of playing regular football in England. He had already shown flashes of potential in his nine appearances for United but now it's clear exactly what he has to offer.

Amad seems to fit the dynamic, energetic and clinical mould Ten Hag wants from his wingers and as the manager has shown with his deft handling of Garnacho this season, there is a way into the side for young forwards if they prove their worth. If Amad can continue his fine form over the summer, he may well earn himself a permanent spot in the squad for next season.

Which could well spell bad news for Sancho. The former Borussia Dortmund man has continued to underwhelm and has struggled to hold down a starting place. To the extent that Ten Hag played Fernandes on the left to accommodate Wout Weghorst in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham rather than play him.

Ten Hag has been nothing but patient with Sancho. He sent him to the Netherlands during the World Cup break for specialised training and then granted him a lot of extra time off once domestic football had resumed to ensure he was 100 per cent physically and mentally before returning.

It appeared as though a corner had been turned when he came back as he scored two crucial goals in quick succession and looked really sharp. But in the weeks since he has regressed and remains ineffective.

With Amad coming back as well as Garnacho already pushing hard for more starts, Sancho is running out of time to change the manager's mind.

There are just five games of the season remaining for Sancho to step up his performances and prove he can return to the scintillating level he dazzled at in Germany. If not, his days at Old Trafford might just be numbered.

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