It is testament to Manchester United’s faith in Erik ten Hag that they have allowed him to target whoever he wants this summer, regardless of the club’s own previous expectations for the window. Few at United would have pushed to sign a new left-back but in came Tyrell Malacia, and he has already made a case to be a starter.
Lisandro Martinez wasn’t the top name on United’s shortlist for a new centre-back this summer either, with Villarreal star Pau Torres the man initially identified by club officials. But the manager got his way, and a reunion for the Ajax defender was arranged.
A move for Frenkie de Jong remains the top focus, and again, it is because of Ten Hag that they remain invested in a deal despite the prolonged and painful negotiation process.
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Things haven’t been quite so straightforward in attack, though. Ten Hag and the club are in agreement that at least one new forward is needed before deadline day, and the Dutchman might need another if Cristiano Ronaldo is granted the exit he desires.
However, it seems a lot more likely that only one will be signed, and that would likely be a central striker than the versatile forward first floated at the start of the summer.
United football director John Murtough met the agent of RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko last month to gauge the possibility of a move, but a possible deal for Antony is now seen as dead in the water with Ajax in no rush to allow another top player to leave this summer following the sales of Martinez, Ryan Gravenberch, Nicolas Tagliafico, Noussair Mazraoui and Sebastien Haller.
In order to sign the Brazil international, Ten Hag’s side would need to pay more than they value the right winger at, and with so many raw talents already at the club, it does seem like an unnecessary risk.
United’s need for a right winger has also already been eased by the resurgence of Jadon Sancho, a player who looked to have found his feet in pre-season after a tricky debut campaign.
It means that, with Sancho first choice, Ten Hag might only actually need to find a back-up option this summer, and that is something that can be done without having to sign anyone else before deadline day.
Anthony Elanga, Amad, Facundo Pellistri and Tahith Chong have all been given game time on the right in pre-season, and it makes far more sense to use one of those in the senior set-up rather than add another player to the squad.
Of those four, it is Amad who seems best placed to occupy the back-up role, and against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, he showed exactly what he has to offer.
Not only did the 20-year-old net United’s only goal of the game with a predatory finish in the box, but his overall performance was one of confidence and quality in the final third. The Ivorian finished the match with 90 per cent passing accuracy, 25 touches in total, one key pass and two efforts on goal.
It might not have been the most ground-breaking display, but it was certainly a start, and a very encouraging performance given his limited game time since arriving at the club two years ago.
The former Atalanta attacker still needs to come to terms with the physicality of English football, but that could come in the form of match experience at United to adapt his style of play to the domestic game as much as it could through a loan spell to another club.
An injury to Sancho or Anthony Martial would leave United in a problematic position, and after summer outings as both a right winger and a centre-forward, it would make sense to keep Amad around as a supplementary option if possible.
United had pencilled him in for a possible loan departure, but after a disappointing spell at Rangers last season, he might be better off staying where he is and featuring from the bench as well as getting the occasional start in cup competitions.
He would also be a beneficiary from the new five substitutes rule in the Premier League, offering him more opportunities to get on the pitch in the closing stages when such an experience can be afforded without the match result being in serious doubt.
What is clear is that two years after being signed for a commitment of up to £37million the priority for Amad is to start getting meaningful minutes over the coming months.
A loan move might be able to offer that, but so could staying at United.
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