Why would Man Utd consider signing Anwar El Ghazi?
- Former Aston Villa forward Anwar El Ghazi has been offered to Man Utd after he was released by PSV in September
- Man Utd are short of right wingers with Jadon Sancho and Antony unavailable
- Erik ten Hag could look within his own squad for a more creative solution
Anwar El Ghazi was one of the 60,000 in attendance at the Emirates Stadium for Manchester United's trip to Arsenal before September's international break.
The former Aston Villa - and, briefly, Everton - forward watched the late drama unfold as United went from leading 2-1 to losing 3-1 via a VAR review and two stoppage-time goals from the Gunners.
A free agent after being released by PSV Eindhoven in the summer, shocking whispers of a move for El Ghazi to Manchester United emerged in the aftermath of the galling defeat.
90min revealed that El Ghazi has been offered to United, rather than targeted by the Red Devils, along with fellow free agent Oussama Idrissi.
Last summer, United were widely mocked after being linked with former West Ham United and Stoke City misfit Marko Arnautovic. Those rumours were swiftly quashed but why are United entertaining the idea of making a late addition to their squad this term?
Why would Man Utd consider signing Anwar El Ghazi?
El Ghazi may not have overlapped with Erik ten Hag at Ajax - the Netherlands international joined Lille a year before United's manager arrived in Amsterdam - but he spent four years soaking up the club's precious principles.
Ten Hag has demonstrated remarkable influence over United's transfer strategy since his arrival, overseeing an outlay of almost £200m on players he had previously worked with or had experience of the Eredivisie. El Ghazi fits that familiar brief but also offers a short-term solution to a nagging issue that has become progressively more pressing for United in recent days.
El Ghazi watched Antony start on the right wing for Manchester United against Arsenal but Jadon Sancho, the only other experienced player comfortable in that role, wasn't even in attendance. The England international had been left out of United's matchday squad after a series of underwhelming performances in training, as revealed by Ten Hag post-game.
Sancho took to social media to defend himself, arguing that there were "other reasons for this matter that I won't go into" while lamenting: "I have been a scapegoat for a long time which isn't fair!"
Just as Sancho's feud with Ten Hag bubbled to the surface, far more serious allegations surrounding the club's other right winger emerged.
Antony was publicly accused of domestic assault by his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin at the start of the international break. Brazil belatedly dropped the winger from their squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers and United released a mealy-mouthed statement. It was not until two other women came forward that United delayed Antony's return from Brazil "until further notice".
El Ghazi can operate anywhere across the frontline but has made almost 200 club appearances as a right winger. What El Ghazi lacks in quality, he at least makes up for it in compatibility with United's system.
When could Jadon Sancho and Antony return for Man Utd?
The accusations levelled at Antony - which he denied on Brazilian TV - come hot on the heels of Manchester United's Mason Greenwood saga.
The former England international had charges for attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February. Greenwood only left United on loan to Getafe in the summer after public backlash at the suggestion of a return to the club's first team.
With accusations of domestic assault levelled against another squad member, United can scarcely afford a similarly disastrous PR storm.
Antony claimed that it was a "mutual decision" made with the club to stay away from training "while I address the allegations made against me". Police in Sao Paulo and Manchester are looking into the accusations but no timeframe has been provided by any involved party.
Sancho was set to meet with Ten Hag on Monday according to 90min's sources. United took the dramatic approach of holding talks with Steven Gerrard's Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq over a potential sale in September but no deal could be agreed by the deadline. How long it will take Sancho to go from the transfer list to the first team remains to be seen.
Right wing options for Man Utd from within the squad
If United were to look within their squad, rather than the free agent market, for replacements on the right wing, there are few natural options. Facundo Pellistri is yet to start a Premier League match but offers more experience than the 19-year-old Shola Shoretire.
Pellistri is set to be handed a new contract extension in the coming weeks and could earn his pay bump with a run on the right wing.
Alejandro Garnacho's unflinching directness has caught the eye during pre-season and the start of the new campaign but the Argentine international has largely operated from the left flank. However, with Rasmus Hojlund's return to fitness allowing Marcus Rashford to vacate the centre-forward role and take up position on his preferred left wing, Garnacho may have been planning for a future on the right anyway.
Ten Hag has shoehorned Bruno Fernandes onto the right wing on numerous occasions since his arrival last summer. The team's attacking talisman is most comfortable as the No10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation but can still create from out wide.
Mason Mount has endured a mixed start to his Manchester United career. The 24-year-old has won the affection of every coach he has come across for his tenacity and tactical intelligence. Ferreting up and down the right flank - a position he took up for Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final against Arsenal - Mount could certainly plug a noticeable hole in United's squad.
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