Ten Hag has one remaining choice to attempt to rectify Manchester United's £85.5m transfer blunder

Erik Ten Hag has struggled to bring out Antony's best performance

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is still searching for the right answer to a question that has emerged in recent weeks.

Few Manchester United players enjoyed as much success as Amadou last season. The Ivorian player was sent on loan to Sunderland on August 31, 2022, and was presented to his new supporters on the same evening. He was introduced to Black Cats fans along with three other new players at half-time during the 3-0 win over Rotherham United. Amad's journey to Sunderland ended with nine months, 42 games, 14 goals and a play-off campaign. He left behind memories that Sunderland fans will cherish for years to come. 

Almost 12 months after his loan spell at Kenilworth Road's Championship club ended in a 2-0 defeat to Luton Town in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, Amad has played just three competitive games. I only participated in the. He returned to Old Trafford last summer with ambitions of taking the next step in his development, but that journey was halted almost immediately. 

The winger was forced off the field with an injury during United's third pre-season game, making him sidelined for the longest period of five months. It was a huge blow for the youngster, who signed from Atalanta in 2021, especially coming off the best season of his life. The only solace the young man had to maintain during his stay in Carrington's treatment room was the sorry sight of Anthony. Since arriving from Ajax in September 2022, he has failed to uproot a single tree, failing to solve the right wing problem that Jadon Sancho was supposed to solve 14 months ago. 

United fans closely followed Amad's progress in the Championship throughout last season, often watching him in awe. He developed quickly and responded to the opportunities given to him in preseason. Amad was sent off in the game against Arsenal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 22 July, but returned to replace Anthony in the game against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on 30 December. 

He demonstrated his abilities and made a good impression. Despite this rather encouraging performance, he has only played 27 minutes since then, making two appearances off the bench. Given Anthony's gray uniform, he expected something better.

Just 3 games since he came back from injury 

To be fair, United's top three was confirmed just two weeks ago. Erik ten Hag achieved success with the trio of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojland and Marcus Rashford leading the field. But that trend stopped when Hoyland suffered a muscle injury two weeks ago. 

In the absence of a suitable replacement, Ten Hag were forced to mix things up by moving Rashford from left wing to centre-forward and Alejandro Garnacho from right to left. Omari Forson was first choice at right-back against the Cottage, with Anthony selected a few days later against Forest. But in both cases, Mr. Amado went unnoticed. 

Last weekend against Manchester City, Ten Hag set United up for a more solid approach by deploying Bruno Fernandes centrally. He could return to a bigger system ahead of Saturday's match against Everton at Old Trafford. Amad deserves a big chance if he can secure the right-back position this weekend. 

Ten Hag certainly thought United's remaining 11 league games would all be cup finals, but just two weeks ago he was ready to give Forson his chance. Until then, he had never started his career. Amado is only 21 years old, but he has a lot of experience. 

Anthony's struggles will almost certainly force United to continue to try to solve their problems on the right side this summer, but Amad is the only player capable of filling that role yet has yet to get the chance to show his potential. Not obtained. . Although there are caveats to consider, Ten Hag is not particularly interested in profitable options at this time.