Manchester United are considering a shock move for former attacker Memphis Depay ahead of Thursday evening's transfer deadline.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United, who will be going in search of a second successive win when they travel to Southampton this lunchtime, are refusing to rule out the prospect of bringing the Netherlands international back to Old Trafford. Depay has entered the final year of his contract at Barcelona and is no stranger to M16, spending just over one-and-a-half years at United between June 2015 and January 2017.
He is also no stranger to Reds manager Erik ten Hag. Depay was at PSV Eindhoven when Tag Hag was serving as assistant manager, meaning they know each other well.
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United want to add to their pool of attacking options before the window closes at 11pm on Thursday and still exploring several options. Ajax star Antony is their top target but Cody Gakpo of PSV and Depay, who Barcelona are prepared to sell, are also attracting their interest.
Here are three ways United could line up with Depay:
Left-wing (4-3-3)
Presuming Depay returns to United and Ten Hag considers him as a natural left-winger, it is likely that he would be in direct competition with Marcus Rashford for a place in the starting line-up. Rashford flourished on the left in the second half against Liverpool on Monday and will now be looking to make that position his own again after grabbing a much-needed, confidence-boosting goal.
Jadon Sancho's best football in a United shirt, to date, has come off the left flank, but he has started the opening three games this season on the right. He was initially signed by the Reds just over a year ago to fill that void.
Should Cristiano Ronaldo stay at the club, he is likely to continue as United's first-choice striker, particularly if they don't add another out-and-out No.9 to the squad before the window closes. Rashford, though, could move inside, just as he did in the first-half against Liverpool.
Right-wing (4-3-3)
Forgetting about the potential addition of Antony and focusing solely as the squad is at present, Sancho is currently first in the pecking order to make the right-wing berth his own. However, Depay has the ability to play in that position if needed to, even if it is not considered his most natural position.
If Sancho is unavailable, or Ten Hag wants to play Rashford through the middle or on the left, for example, Depay could move across to the right and plug the gap. His pace and versatility means that he should be able to adapt, even if it is only on the odd occasion.
As proven against Liverpool, Ten Hag likes a system that features a quick, dynamic front-three that can stretch the pitch with genuine pace. Depay certainly isn't lacking in that department, meaning he could join Rashford and Sancho in a rapid-looking front-three.
Second-striker (4-4-1-1)
As well as being comfortable on the left, Depay has also admitted and proven that he is capable of playing centrally, either as an advanced-midfielder or just behind the striker. His pace and capability to create chances for others allow him to flourish in that role.
United, so far, have deployed a 4-3-3 system this season, with Bruno Fernandes the most advanced central-midfielder. But following the addition of Casemiro, his world-class defensive talent could offer Ten Hag the flexibility to mix things up formation-wise, should he wish to.
Fernandes and Casemiro could join forces to form a midfield paring, allowing Depay to play slightly further advanced, behind a lone frontman, who could easily be Ronaldo. Sancho and Rashford could man the wide areas.
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